Privacy

The ACLU of Maine works to increase the control individuals have over their personal information, and opposes government overreach into our private lives. We are working to bring privacy law up to speed with advancing technology, and bring government surveillance practices in line with the Constitution.

Privacy Issue Collage

The ACLU of Maine works to increase the control individuals have over their personal information, and opposes government overreach into our private lives. We are working to bring privacy law up to speed with advancing technology, and bring government surveillance practices in line with the Constitution.

The Latest

News & Commentary
An individuals holding a sign saying "Voting Rights Are For People Not Parties," outside of the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of arguments in the Voting Rights case Callais v. Landry.

Trump Wants Maine Voters' Private Data. A Federal Court Just Stopped Him.

A U.S. district court has dismissed the federal government's lawsuit, blocking its demand for full access to Maine voters' sensitive personal information.
Press Release
An individuals holding a sign saying "Voting Rights Are For People Not Parties," outside of the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of arguments in the Voting Rights case Callais v. Landry.

Federal Court Dismisses DOJ Attempt to Access Maine’s Unredacted Voter File

The U.S. District Court ruled the federal government cannot compel the State of Maine to release sensitive voter information.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights, Privacy
Court Cases: United States v. Bellows – Protecting Sensitive Voter Data
News & Commentary
Event Image Notes on the Votes

Notes on the Votes: The 2026 Legislative Session in Review (Webinar)

With Maine’s 132nd Legislature officially adjourned, supporters joined a webinar to hear from the ACLU of Maine's policy team about its work in the State House.
Press Release
A person stands at a voting booth marked with an American flag and the word “VOTE” inside a community polling place. The room has wooden floors, orange stacked chairs, and colorful landscape paintings on the walls, with a small U.S. flag displayed nearby.

Federal Court to Hear Arguments in Lawsuit Seeking Confidential Maine Voter Data

The federal district court in Portland will hear arguments in United States v. Bellows, including from the ACLU of Maine as a friend-of-the-court.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights, Privacy
Court Cases: United States v. Bellows – Protecting Sensitive Voter Data
Court Case
May 21, 2026

United States v. Bellows – Protecting Sensitive Voter Data

We challenged the federal government’s attempt to access Maine’s unredacted voter file – including information like voters’ Social Security and driver’s license numbers.
Court Case
Aug 11, 2020

Holding Border Patrol Accountable – Drewniak v. US CBP

We sued the federal government in 2020 for unconstitutional border patrol checkpoints in northern New England. In 2023, Border Patrol agreed to stop operating a problematic checkpoint until January 1, 2025.
Court Case
Jun 06, 2018

FOAA: Portland Smart City Lights

Court Case
May 01, 2018

ACLU of Maine v. United States DHS et al.