Maine Rep. Laurel Libby Wins Supreme Court Battle Over Voting Rights in Trans Athlete Controversy

In a 7-2 Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday, Maine State Representative Laurel Libby regained her voting rights after a three-month censure by the state's Democrat-led legislature. The censure stemmed from a social media post where Libby criticized a trans athlete's victory in a girls' pole vault competition, igniting a fierce debate over free speech and trans inclusion in sports.

Libby, a vocal advocate for protecting girls' sports, called the case a civil rights battle, emphasizing the broader implications for women and girls nationwide. "This was political retaliation, pure and simple," she told WTFNewsRoom. "No one should be silenced for speaking up for our girls." The ruling, she argues, sets a precedent for free expression, even on contentious issues.

The controversy began in February when Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau led the charge to strip Libby of her voting privileges. Fecteau has since complied with the Supreme Court’s order to restore her rights, stating, "We’ll continue the work Maine people expect." However, Libby’s fight isn’t over—she still lacks the right to speak on the House floor, with her case now headed to the First Circuit Court of Appeals on June 5.

The decision comes amid a heated national debate over trans athletes in girls' sports. President Donald Trump’s executive order mandating that only biological females compete in women’s sports has been defied by Maine’s Democratic leadership, including Governor Janet Mills. The U.S. Department of Justice, backed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has filed a separate lawsuit against Maine for non-compliance.

Public sentiment in Maine leans heavily toward Libby’s stance. A recent survey by the American Parents Coalition revealed that 63% of Maine voters support restricting school sports to biological sex, with 66% agreeing it’s fair to limit women’s sports to biological females. Local school districts, like RSU No. 24 and MSAD No. 70, have passed resolutions aligning with this view, and protests in Augusta reflect growing public frustration.

Libby’s resolve remains unshaken. "Fecteau and Mills can’t ignore the will of Maine people forever," she said, pointing to their six-year grip on state policy. While the Supreme Court’s ruling is a victory, Libby missed key votes during her censure, including the state’s budget and a bill codifying trans inclusion in Maine’s constitution. She’s now considering legal action to amend those records.