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Mail-in voting is a simple yet powerful way to ensure that soldiers and disabled veterans like me are never disenfranchised. The first time I ever voted was as a deployed member of the U.S. Marine Corps. As an 18-year-old who had never voted before, absentee voting made me feel powerful and important.
Disabled veterans, like myself, often have physical and emotional trauma. Chronic pain makes it difficult to stand in long lines at polling places. PTSD pushes us to avoid crowds altogether. We deserve to participate without physical strain or discomfort.
I recently broke my hip, landing me in the hospital for surgery and then the veterans’ home for rehab. The state of Maine’s current laws allow me to request to vote absentee with only a three business day notice. Unforeseen events should not deny me my voting rights.
A proper way to thank me for my service is to support mail-in voting.
Carroll Payne
Plymouth
