To the editor:
I am writing to urge citizens to vote “no” on referendum Question 1 in the upcoming Maine election.
I am especially concerned with the changes to absentee voting, which I believe would place cumbersome steps and unnecessary limits on that process. Voters would no longer be allowed to request a ballot by telephone, nor could family members request ballots on their behalf. Seniors and those with disabilities would no longer receive ballots in the mail automatically, but would need to request them, in person or electronically, for each election. Drop boxes for ballots would be limited — one per municipality is my understanding, even for large cities. Two days of absentee voting would be eliminated. Photo IDs and, I believe, an “identification envelope” of personal information would be required.
In addition, the last line of the referendum reads “and make other changes to our elections.” What might those changes be? These words, in my reading, open the voting process to unknown and possibly more onerous requirements and restrictions.
I believe the proposed changes to absentee voting, as well as the requirement for photo ID that excludes tribal and student IDs, are unnecessary. Maine has safe, secure, open elections, with virtually no fraud. We should continue to make voting as accessible as possible.
I encourage all to vote “no” on referendum 1.
Mary Miller
Oakfield
