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I live on Beals Island with my husband and son when he’s not off at university studying vocal performance in New York. Voting “no” on Question 1 to save Maine’s absentee voting is critically important to my family.
I’m a busy person by nature, but I don’t think I’m particularly unique from most Maine women raising families, working full time and involved in the community. For that reason, I’ve requested absentee ballots for multiple elections to ensure I don’t miss out on my constitutional right and, for me, my obligation as a responsible citizen. I value that freedom and want to protect it.
My husband used absentee ballots to vote for years when he served aboard ship in the U.S. Coast Guard. It was important to him then and still is as he considers it his patriotic duty to vote in every election.
Finally, my son was born Blind and understands more than most just how vital absentee ballots are in casting his vote. For the past four years, he has voted independently and more importantly privately and securely through an accessible-to-him absentee ballot received via email. Preserving his ability to vote is the main reason I’m writing. I’m fearful that ballot Question 1 would needlessly silence his voice.
My family’s uses of absentee ballots are only a few of the myriad reasons why absentee voting is so critically important for many Mainers and why it’s of the utmost urgency to protect it. Please vote “no” on Question 1.
Suzanne Carver
Beals
