Maine’s GOP senator ‘troubled’ by claims Somali interpreters are accompanying women to midterms polling stations and telling them how to vote

Senator Susan Collins said she was troubled by claims that Somali interpreters had accompanied migrant women into polling stations in Maine and instructed them how to vote. The allegations, which have not been independently established in the article, have raised concerns about election rules as early voting begins ahead of the 3 November midterms.

The claims were reported by The Maine Wire, which said interpreters escorted elderly Somali voters in Lewiston, ran buses to polling places and gave voting instructions; it also alleged they worked for taxpayer-funded organisations. Collins said only Americans should vote and that handling ballots must comply with the law. The story comes as she faces Democrat Troy Jackson in a close Senate race that could affect which party controls the chamber.