Cheryl Golek

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned

• ›Jobs & cost of living249 with · 10 against259 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    An Act to Suspend the Remittance Obligation for Paid Family and Medical Leave Private Plan Users

    As introduced, suspends employer paid family and medical leave premiums until January 1, 2026 (employers may keep paying) and directs the Labor Department to set rules by November 1, 2025 for expedited approval of private plans, waiving premiums while applications are pending.

    Jun 3, 2025 · Passed 75–73 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and to Change Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025

    On the version voted Mar 13, 2025: Makes supplemental appropriations and allocations for state government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and changes related laws, including carrying unspent funds into the next fiscal year and updating state tax references to the federal tax code.

    Feb 11, 2025 · Passed 73–71 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027

    Sets Maine's state budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and adjusts fiscal 2025 spending, and changes related laws, including raising the cigarette tax from $2 to $3.50 per pack starting January 5, 2026, with a matching increase on other tobacco products.

    Jun 18, 2025 · Passed 74–73 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All jobs & cost of living votes
• ›Rights & public safety185 with · 13 against198 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    An Act to Ensure Equity and Safety in Athletics, Restrooms, Changing Rooms and Housing at Elementary, Secondary and Postsecondary Schools

    As introduced, requires public school and college teams to be designated male, female or coed, bars male students from female teams, and requires restrooms, changing rooms and sleeping quarters to be designated for one sex.

    Jun 13, 2025 · Failed 72–72 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Include in the Ranked-choice Election Method for General and Special Elections the Offices of Governor, State Senator and State Representative and to Make Other Related Changes

    On the version voted Feb 10, 2026: Extends ranked-choice voting to general and special elections for Governor, State Senator and State Representative, with technical wording changes, and states the winner is the candidate with a plurality of votes.

    Jun 18, 2025 · Passed 74–73 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Law Governing Mandatory Driver's License Suspension for Refusing Testing for Drugs or a Combination of Drugs and Alcohol

    As introduced, broadens drug-impairment testing law to cover impairment by any drug, replaces "drug recognition expert" with "law enforcement officer", and clarifies that the Secretary of State immediately suspends the license of a person who fails to submit to or complete the test.

    Jun 10, 2025 · Passed 73–72 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All rights & public safety votes
• ›Climate & energy132 with · 4 against137 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    An Act to Protect the Right to Harvest Wildlife

    On the version voted Mar 26, 2026: Declares that people in Maine have a right to harvest fish and wildlife by hunting, fishing or trapping for their own nourishment, sustenance, health or well-being, subject to applicable laws and rules.

    Jun 12, 2025 · Passed 75–73 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Use Certain Regional Transmission Organization Payments for Beneficial Electrification to Reduce Electricity Rates

    Removes the time limit on directing forward capacity market payments to beneficial electrification, and adds electric vehicles to heat pumps as an eligible use of those funds.

    Apr 15, 2025 · Passed 77–72 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    Resolve, Directing the Department of Environmental Protection to Report on Air and Soil Chemical and Metal Levels and on Soil Testing on Solar Panel Farm Sites

    Directs the Department of Environmental Protection to report on levels of chemicals and metals in air and soil statewide, and on soil testing at solar farm sites before, after and during operation.

    May 20, 2025 · Passed 75–72 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All climate & energy votes
• ›Health & care88 with · 5 against93 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    An Act to Amend the Laws Governing the Health Insurance Premium Cap for State Employees

    Limits increases in total premiums for active and retired state employee health insurance, for fiscal years ending after June 30, 2026, to the Consumer Price Index percentage increase plus 10%, excluding the fully insured Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan.

    Apr 7, 2026 · Passed 75–71 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Protect the Health and Welfare of Children in Public Schools by Requiring Parental Consent for Certain Tests, Analyses and Diagnoses

    As introduced, bars school administrative units from conducting student evaluations that test or diagnose intellectual, emotional, behavioral, psychological or physical development without first obtaining parental consent.

    Jun 3, 2025 · Passed 75–71 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Amend Maine's Prescription Drug Labeling Law by Allowing the Removal of the Name of a Prescriber of Mifepristone, Misoprostol and Their Generic Alternatives

    Allows, at the prescriber's request, labels on mifepristone, misoprostol and their generics to show the prescriber's health care facility instead of the prescriber's name.

    May 20, 2025 · Passed 75–71 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All health & care votes
• ›Education & families81 with · 2 against83 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    An Act to Ensure Equity and Safety in Athletics, Restrooms, Changing Rooms and Housing at Elementary, Secondary and Postsecondary Schools

    As introduced, requires public school and college teams to be designated male, female or coed, bars male students from female teams, and requires restrooms, changing rooms and sleeping quarters to be designated for one sex.

    Jun 13, 2025 · Failed 72–72 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act Directing the Department of Education to Develop Pilot Programs to Place Child Care Facilities in Selected School Administrative Units

    Directs the Department of Education to study placing child care facilities in public schools and set up pilot programs in at least 4 school administrative units, serving children of school staff, with funding appropriated.

    Jun 3, 2025 · Passed 74–73 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Prohibit Males from Participating in Female Sports or Using Female Facilities

    As introduced, bars state-funded schools and colleges from letting a person whose sex assigned at birth is male join female-designated competitive athletics or use female-only facilities.

    Jun 13, 2025 · Passed 73–72 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All education & families votes
• ›Housing & rent51 with · 1 against52 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Municipal Reporting on Residential Buildings

    Changes the annual housing data that municipalities of 4,000 or more residents report to the Maine Office of Community Affairs, moving the deadline to March 31 and revising the building-type categories, and encourages smaller towns to report.

    Mar 5, 2026 · Passed 72–70 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Increase General Assistance Reimbursement for Municipalities and Indian Tribes

    On the version voted Apr 2, 2026: Raises the state reimbursement to municipalities and Indian tribes for general assistance costs from 70% to 75% of direct costs incurred on or after July 1, 2026.

    Jun 17, 2025 · Passed 75–71 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Protect Recipients of Public Assistance from Housing Discrimination

    As introduced, adds status as a recipient of public assistance, including medical assistance and housing subsidies, to Maine's housing discrimination law, covering inquiries, sales, rentals, evictions and loans, and bars refusing to rent to recipients because of that status.

    Jun 4, 2025 · Passed 72–70 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All housing & rent votes
• ›Transportation28 with · 8 against36 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Law Governing Mandatory Driver's License Suspension for Refusing Testing for Drugs or a Combination of Drugs and Alcohol

    As introduced, broadens drug-impairment testing law to cover impairment by any drug, replaces "drug recognition expert" with "law enforcement officer", and clarifies that the Secretary of State immediately suspends the license of a person who fails to submit to or complete the test.

    Jun 10, 2025 · Passed 73–72 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine Regarding the Use and Oversight of Transportation-related Revenues

    As introduced, proposes a constitutional amendment requiring at least 60% of automobile-related sales and use tax revenue to go to the Highway Fund starting July 1, 2027, for all modes of transportation.

    Jun 3, 2025 · Passed 75–73 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Exempt Certain Watercraft from Registration Requirements

    As introduced, exempts canoes, kayaks and rowboats equipped with a motor under 100 horsepower from boat registration requirements.

    Jun 4, 2025 · Passed 73–70 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All transportation votes
• ›Technology & privacy26 with · 0 against26 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    An Act to Require the Cooperation of Original Manufacturers of Electronic Devices to Facilitate the Repair of Those Devices by Device Owners and Independent Repair Providers

    Requires manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to give independent repairers and owners repair documentation, parts and tools on fair terms from 2028, and bars software parts pairing in newer consumer electronics; excludes vehicles, medical devices and game consoles; bars suits by owners and repairers.

    Apr 7, 2026 · Failed 73–75 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Enact the Maine Online Data Privacy Act

    On the version voted Apr 9, 2026: Enacts the Maine Online Data Privacy Act, letting residents access, correct, delete and opt out of sale or targeted-advertising use of their personal data held by businesses, and limiting collection of sensitive data; as amended, takes effect September 1, 2027.

    Feb 10, 2026 · Passed 71–68 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    An Act to Prohibit the Doxing of a Minor and to Authorize a Related Civil Action

    As amended, bars knowingly or recklessly disclosing a minor's personal identifying information that causes stalking, physical harm, serious property damage or reasonable fear for the safety of the minor or a close relation; allows civil damages, brought through a representative, and protection from harassment orders.

    Jun 10, 2025 · Passed 78–69 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All technology & privacy votes
• ›Foreign affairs & defense1 with · 0 against1 vote

  Most contested

  • Yes

    An Act to Prohibit the Maine National Guard from Combat Deployment Absent an Act of the United States Congress

    Prohibits sending Maine's state military forces into foreign combat without a congressional declaration of war or action for an enumerated constitutional purpose, while allowing the Governor to deploy them for civil missions in the U.S.

    Apr 24, 2025 · Passed 109–33 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

  All foreign affairs & defense votes

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 16 of 701 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Rights & public safety (7), Jobs & cost of living (5), Transportation (2)

• An Act to Provide an Exemption from Pilotage Requirements for Passenger Ferry Service Between Bar Harbor, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

  What it does: Provides ongoing General Fund money to the Department of Economic and Community Development to pay for pilotage services for the Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia ferry.

  Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 56–16, Republicans 0–68

  Mar 12, 2026Official record ↗

• An Act to Provide an Exemption from Pilotage Requirements for Passenger Ferry Service Between Bar Harbor, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

  What it does: On the version voted Mar 12, 2026: Provides ongoing General Fund money to the Department of Economic and Community Development to pay for pilotage services for the Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia ferry.

  Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 38–34, Republicans 0–70

  Mar 3, 2026Official record ↗

• An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027

  What it does: Sets Maine's state budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and adjusts fiscal 2025 spending, and changes related laws, including raising the cigarette tax from $2 to $3.50 per pack starting January 5, 2026, with a match…

  Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 68–6, Republicans 0–71

  Jun 18, 2025Official record ↗

• An Act to Preserve Heating and Energy Choice by Prohibiting a Municipality from Prohibiting a Particular Energy System or Energy Distributor

  What it does: Bars municipalities from prohibiting individuals or businesses from using their chosen heating or energy system, or hiring the provider or distributor they choose, unless a state law authorizes the prohibition.

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 7–65, Republicans 71–0

  Jun 18, 2025Official record ↗

• RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Amend the Appointment and Confirmation Process for Certain Judicial, Civil and Military Officers

  What it does: As amended in committee, proposes a constitutional amendment letting the Senate confirm the Governor's nominations of certain judicial, civil and military officers by majority vote.

  Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 7–66, Republicans 65–4

  Jun 17, 2025Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

• Yes

  An Act to Suspend the Remittance Obligation for Paid Family and Medical Leave Private Plan Users

  With most of their party · Passed 75–73 · Yes 75–No 73 · Democrats 73–0, Republicans 0–72

  Jun 3, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  An Act to Ensure Equity and Safety in Athletics, Restrooms, Changing Rooms and Housing at Elementary, Secondary and Postsecondary Schools

  With most of their party · Failed 72–72 · Yes 72–No 72 · Democrats 71–1, Republicans 0–71

  Jun 13, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  An Act to Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and to Change Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025

  With most of their party · Passed 73–71 · Yes 73–No 71 · Democrats 72–0, Republicans 0–71

  Feb 11, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Municipal Reporting on Residential Buildings

  With most of their party · Passed 72–70 · Yes 72–No 70 · Democrats 69–0, Republicans 0–70

  Mar 5, 2026Official record ↗

• Yes

  An Act to Include in the Ranked-choice Election Method for General and Special Elections the Offices of Governor, State Senator and State Representative and to Make Other Related Changes

  With most of their party · Passed 74–73 · Yes 74–No 73 · Democrats 72–1, Republicans 0–71

  Jun 18, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027

  With most of their party · Passed 74–73 · Yes 74–No 73 · Democrats 72–1, Republicans 0–72

  Jun 18, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Law Governing Mandatory Driver's License Suspension for Refusing Testing for Drugs or a Combination of Drugs and Alcohol

  With most of their party · Passed 73–72 · Yes 73–No 72 · Democrats 72–1, Republicans 0–70

  Jun 10, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  An Act to Protect Workers in This State by Clarifying the Relationship of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies with Federal Immigration Authorities

  With most of their party · Passed 74–73 · Yes 74–No 73 · Democrats 71–1, Republicans 0–72

  Jun 17, 2025Official record ↗