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Suffrage (i.e., the right to vote) was a long and hard struggle for women and minorities in the United States. In fact, Susan B. Anthony was arrested, tried, and convicted for voting in 1872. Yet, that did not stop her! She advocated for the women’s suffrage amendment to Congress and the president, but it did not pass until 40 years later in 1919, becoming the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920.
Even so, voting was not always available to minorities in many states! It was not until 1965 that the Voting Rights Act passed, which outlawed racial discrimination in voting.
OK, so much for the history lesson, my point being that after many decades of fighting for suffrage, it is time to protect free, fair and secure elections. We do not think twice about showing our ID for everyday activities, so it makes sense that only legal votes should count.
How does a voter ID prevent fraud? For one, it can prevent impersonation and can help deter double voting. Therefore, I believe Maine should join the 36 other states that already require Voter ID. That is why I will vote “yes” on this referendum question on Nov. 4 to safeguard Maine’s elections for generations to come.
Teri Blackadar
Newburgh
