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It would cost more than $1.3 million to implement Question 1. Its annual funding would cost over $150,000. The measure proposes using new IDs to thwart voter fraud, but voter impersonation rarely occurs, and voter ID laws often don’t prevent it.
That’s spending a lot for a hollow program, which hinders absentee voting.
Every stage of absentee voting in Maine would be harder if this issue passes. Absentee voters could not request ballots without presenting approved IDs. Voters would be forbidden from requesting a ballot by phone. Third parties could not bring ballots to disabled, or elderly, voters. Ongoing absentee voting would be abolished. As for casting ballots, early voting would be shortened by two days. Secured drop-off boxes would be limited to only one for each municipality.
These obstructions would burden hundreds of thousands of voters. Nearly 45% of voting Mainers cast absentee ballots last year. Nearly 61% of Maine’s elderly voted absentee.
When the state spends this much money, we want to get something for it. If Question 1 passes, Maine’s absentee voters will lose easy access to ballots and some drop-off boxes. Absentee voters shouldn’t be treated as second-class citizens. That’s why I’m voting “No” on Question 1.
Clinton Grubbs
Brewer
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