Next Tuesday, the Maine Legisalture is poised to vote on LD 1376, which would eliminate Maine's same day voter registration. Same day voter registration allows thousands of Maine voters to exercise their fundamental right - a right that is the basis of our democracy. In 2010, 18,364 Maine voters registered to vote on Election Day. In 2008, 49,666 voters registered to vote on Election Day.
Maine passed same day voter registration over 30 years ago the last time the Republicans controlled the legislature and over the years inched up the rankings to become the state with the third best voter turnout in the country. This is something to truly be proud of. Maine values support voter participation for all those eligible.
Today a broad coalition of individuals and organizations came together to urge Maine people and Maine legisaltors to oppose LD 1376. As articulated by Carlin Whitehouse, a Mainer who has served as a poll worker during elections, Maine should be ushering eligible voters into the polls - not erecting barriers and hoops that exclude people from contributing their voice to electoral process.
Or as aother speaker put it - while we all know that taxation without represenatation is tyranny - representation without being able to weigh in on that representation is also tyranny. This Memorial Day - honor those who sacrificed to protect our Constitutional rights by telling Maine lawmakers not to undermine our right to vote!
Call or email your legislator and tell them to OPPOSE LD 1376 and leave Maine's voting laws alone!
LD 1376 is opposed by the AARP, Disability Rights Center, EqualityMaine, Homeless Voices for Justice, the League of Women Voters, the League of Young Voters, the Maine Civil Liberties Union, the Maine People’s Alliance, Maine Women’s Lobby, and Preble Street Resource Center.
