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I am writing today to warn my friends and neighbors about the first referendum question on
November’s ballot. It sounds innocuous enough when presented as a voter ID bill, but I see it as a Trojan horse.
Voters in Maine are already required to share their government ID, usually your driver’s license, and prove their citizenship to register to vote. Voting both in-person and absentee in Maine is safe, secure.
But Question 1 on the November ballot would require voters to present in person or mail in copies of their ID to obtain an absentee ballot and other rules to be determined by the Secretary of State’s office, which raises clear questions on privacy and security.
Currently absentee voting is a secure option chosen by many Mainers. Absentee ballots are verified by the town clerk, in conjunction with an election moderator, who verifies your original signature against the signed absentee ballot envelope, then your vote is accepted and counted. The process is open to the public; I encourage you to participate and watch!
This referendum doesn’t fix any existing problems and will likely cause delays at the polls as well as diminished early and absentee voting affecting military, seniors, and the infirmed; who are often our most veracious voters.
Just read the referendum question for yourself and please vote “no” on Question 1.
Bo Zabierek
Sherman Mills
