PORTLAND, Maine - A Maine judge says the secretary of state was within his right to reject a referendum proposal to create a casino in southern Maine.
Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said the campaign fell short of the necessary signatures to make the ballot. One of the big reasons was that 32,526 signatures were deemed invalid because the signature of the circulator or the notary didn't match the signature on file with the state.
Justice Michaela Murphy sided Thursday with Dunlap.
Dunlap said he feels bad that for people who signed the petitions in good faith but said he has to make sure referendum drives are done "with all of the validity required of the Constitution.''
Dunlap also rejected a referendum to legalize marijuana. An appeal of his decision is pending.