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In a statement declaring her support for the SAVE America Act, Sen. Susan Collins indicated that only U.S. citizens should vote in our elections. I agree. When a person registers to vote, that person already must declare they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of law.
The SAVE America Act tries to solve a problem that does not exist. The right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation, reviewed election fraud over the past four decades and found less than 1% voter fraud and none that likely would have changed the outcome of any election.
In addition to requiring a voter ID, the SAVE America Act also limits absentee voting, disrupts mail-in and online voter registration, which would restrict voter registration drives. As a member of the League of Women Voters of Maine, I personally participate in voter registration drives in area high schools, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and voting. We enroll all voters — Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, and those with no party affiliation. These drives may have to stop.
More than 64% of Maine voters rejected a similar voter ID/voter suppression measure this past November via referendum. Apparently, Sen. Collins did not get that message.
Mary Smith
Plymouth
