June 7, 2011 - 4:52pm
Yesterday the Maine House of Representatives voted in favor of LD 1376, to repeal our same-day voter registration law. In addition, the House also passed LD 199, which would require Maine voters to carry state-issued identification with them to the polls.
These two bills would severely damage the integrity of Maine’s election progress by forcing election clerks to turn away new voters, recently-moved voters, and elderly voters. That is a lot of potential participants.
Carlin Whitehouse, a member of the League of Young voters and also a poll worker was quoted as saying,"I don't want to have to turn people away when they come to cast a vote… I don't want to say, 'Sorry the window has already passed. You're going you have to go home and wait another two years, another four years, another few months for the next election. We all as Mainers should be welcoming people, ushering them into the process."
For an excellent explanation about the nuanced trouble that will be caused with the requirements of providing education, I highly recommend reading a recent address given by Sen. John Patrick. He outlines how difficult it often is for the disabled, the poor, and the elderly- who often do not drive- to carry identification.
The good news is that there is still time to kill this bill in the Senate. Please, please, please contact your state Senator right away and let them know that you strongly oppose these two harmful bills. Call 1-800-423-6900 and ask them to vote NO on LD 1376 and LD 199. If you aren't sure who your Senator is, use this handy tool.
I also please ask that you reach out to your friends, family, and neighbors to encourage them to also make their voice be heard. Voting is easily the single most important connection that each citizen has to their government – we should do everything we can to make sure that no one is left out of the process.
