Press 2021
November 15, 2021
Portland looking into vote discrepancy in close city council race
Anna Kellar, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Maine, said the league is eager to learn more about why the discrepancy exists. The league has requested more detailed election data in an effort to conduct its own analysis, said Kellar, who uses they/them pronouns.
Published in: Portland Press Herald
November 2, 2021
Westbrook adopts ranked-choice voting for local races
Anna Kellar, the executive director of the League of Women Voters, says ranked-choice voting ensures that election winners have the support of the majority of the voters — even in tight races with multiple candidates.
Published in: Maine Public
October 30, 2021
Westbrook voters will make decision on local ranked choice voting this Election Day
The Westbrook city council voted unanimously in August to put the referendum on the November ballot. Pro-ranked choice advocates gathered at the city’s Riverbank Park to knock on doors and spread the word about their cause.
Published in: WMTW Channel 8
October 10, 2021
Lessons learned from Maine’s redistricting process
Anna Kellar writes: Ultimately, Maine should not be ashamed of its redistricting process, but it should not celebrate it as the pinnacle of democracy and representation either. By entrusting map drawing to politicians and limiting time for public feedback, there is a question as to how well the new district lines truly serve the public interest. As a state that avoids the worst of redistricting, we should continue to ask ourselves how we can do better.
Published in: Lewiston Sun Journal
September 24, 2021
Can ranked-choice voting heal our poisoned politics?
For many advocates, a critical piece of the answer is the electoral reform known as ranked-choice voting. “It reduces the incentive to be divisive as a strategy,” says Anna Kellar, director of the League of Women Voters of Maine and a leader in the 2016 drive that got the reform adopted in that state.
Published in: Knowable Magazine
September 17, 2021
Proposals would shift legislative districts, but critics say details are lacking
Anna Kellar, executive director of the League of Women Voters, said Friday that the organization was disappointed that the granular detail needed to make informed comment was missing from the maps on the commission’s website.
Published in: Portland Press Herald
September 14, 2021
Maine redistricting panel to release 1st map proposals with just 10 days until deadline
It is a positive step for the commission to plan hearings for public feedback, said Will Hayward, advocacy program coordinator for the League of Women Voters Maine, but he noted that the timeframe is short.
Published in: Bangor Daily News
September 10, 2021
Facing tight deadline, Maine redistricting panel will release proposed maps next week
“One recurring piece of feedback we have received is that members of the public do not feel able to offer comment without maps to remark on,” said Anna Kellar, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Maine in written testimony before the commission.
Published in: Bangor Daily News
July 9, 2021
While some states restrict voting, Maine lawmakers pass bills to expand access
Anna Kellar, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Maine, said Maine tends to have good access and voting rights laws, but the systems behind the scenes are sometimes outdated.
Published in: Portland Press Herald
July 4, 2021
Unions and democracy go together
Op-ed written by LWVME board member Ann Luther and David Madland. Some advocates and analysts have been suggesting a symbiotic link between strong unions and a vibrant democracy. Their argument is that union organizing is an important, if not essential, tool in building a vibrant democracy, and has been almost since our founding.
Published in: Lewiston Sun Journal
June 22, 2021
To protect voting rights, Senate must reduce the influence of big money in campaigns
Op-ed written by LWVME Executive Director Anna Kellar.
Published in: Bangor Daily News
June 20, 2021
Why Maine’s senators should support DC statehood
Op-ed written by LWVME board member Alison Smith.
Published in: Bangor Daily News
June 9, 2021
Senate passes Sen. Maxmin’s bill to create semi-open primaries
LD 231 is cosponsored by Democratic, Republican and independent members of the Legislature and has been endorsed by the League of Women Voters.
Published in: PenBay Pilot
May 27, 2021
League of Women Voters Maine hold virtual discussion of For the People Act
The League of Women Voters Maine held a virtual discussion today regarding the For the People Act. It’s a package making its way through Congress that addresses campaign finance and ballot access reforms. Speakers included two men who worked on campaigns for President Obama and Senator John McCain.
Published in: WABI Channel 5 News
May 8, 2021
Maine activists call for protection of voter rights
Shenna Bellows, Maine's secretary of state, joins members of the League of Women Voters of Maine and other groups to support federal voting rights legislation.
Published in: Fox Channel 3 News
May 8, 2021
Voting-rights advocates stage rally, motorcade in Portland
Shenna Bellows, Maine's secretary of state, joins members of the League of Women Voters of Maine and other groups to support federal voting rights legislation.
Published in: Portland Press Herald
April 27, 2021
Commentary: Sens. King, Collins should give D.C. residents the same rights as Mainers
Anna Kellar writes on the importance of Mainers supporting D.C. residents and their fight for full representation and local sovereignty.
Published in: Portland Press Herald
April 7, 2021
Voter ID requirement back on Maine lawmakers' agenda
The League of Women voters opposed Voter ID and said the current system is secure and that there is no fraud problem. “We cannot justify making the system more difficult for the benefit of security theater,” said Debra McDonnough.
Published in: WGME Channel 13 News
April 7, 2021
Civil rights groups push back against voter ID bills in Maine
Opponents, including the ACLU and League of Women Voters of Maine, argue that more than 21 million U.S. citizens do not have government-issued IDs nationwide, and that these bills disproportionately affect people of color, people with low incomes, people with disabilities and the elderly.
Published in: WGME Channel 13 News
April 7, 2021
Maine should ban political spending by foreign-influenced corporations
The Maine Legislature is considering a bill to ban political spending by corporations that are partly owned by foreign entities. Here’s why they should do that — and why the arguments raised by the bill’s corporate opponents don’t hold water.
Published in: Lewiston Sun Journal
April 6, 2021
Bill would create permanent online voter registration system in Maine
The nonpartisan League of Women Voters says the system will increase voter turnout. "It makes voter registration more accessible for voters who confront a variety of obstacles, including those with mobility issues, elderly voters, disabled voters, economically disadvantaged voters, and rural voters," League of Women Voters Executive Director Anna Kellar said.
Published in: WMTW Channel 8 News
April 5, 2021
Bill would audit Maine election results as a way to promote voter confidence
Others offering testimony in support included Debra McDonough, a volunteer with the League of Women Voters of Maine. McDonough echoed praise for Maine’s existing system and the state’s election officials.
Published in: Portland Press Herald
April 5, 2021
Bill would allow online voter registration in Maine by 2023
Other supporters of the bill include Democracy Maine, a collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Maine and Maine Citizens for Clean Elections. Anna Kellar, the executive director of both organizations, said online registration would add convenience without compromising security.
Published in: Portland Press Herald
April 3, 2021
Letter to the editor: Towns, voters, state will benefit if Maine moves to online registration
Melissa Murphy
Published in: Portland Press Herald
April 2, 2021
April 2, 2021
Report: Maine's Democracy Is Strong, But Barriers Exist In Poorer Parts Of State
This week, the League of Women Voters of Maine and Maine Citizens for Clean Elections released their latest State of Maine Democracy report. It's an assessment of the health of Maine's government, from voting rights to money in politics, as seen by those two organizations.
Published in: Maine Public Radio
March 31, 2021
Ann Luther urges Maine’s congressional delegation to support the Washington, D.C. Admission Act. It’s the right thing to do.
Published in: Bangor Daily News
March 23, 2021
Support Maxim’s bill for semi-open primaries
Volunteer Janet Williams Jefferson writes in support of semi-open primaries.
Published in: Central Maine
March 22, 2021
Maine should ban election contributions from corporations
Volunteer Mary Ann Larson writes about why we should ban corporate contributions in Maine elections. References MCCE's Corporate Contribution Bill.
Published in: Portland Press Herald
March 21, 2021
Maine needs online voter registration
League member Gina Coppens writes on OVR.
Published in: Central Maine
March 16, 2021
For the People Act takes Maine’s election values nationwide
League member and board member Alison Smith writes about the importance of For the People Act (HR1/S1) and getting big money out of politics.
Published in: Portland Press Herald
March 12, 2021
Lowering voting age to 16 will give more stakeholders a say in our democracy
A member of the League's Youth Council contributed an Op-ed on lowering the voting age to 16.
Published in: Portland Press Herald
March 9, 2021
Craig Hickman wins Senate District 14 special election
When polls closed at 8 p.m. the League of Women Voters of Maine, which observed polling in the district, found very few problems had been witnessed in a news release, particularly in the area of COVID-19 protocols.
Published in: Central Maine
Published in: Portland Press Herald
March 6, 2021
Maine needs online voter registration
League member Lutie Brown Waterville writes about OVR.
Published in: Central Maine
March 2, 2021
Maine Rep. Jared Golden backs election reform bill
The League joins Representative Jared Golden in a press conference supporting H.R. 1, or "For The People Act."
Published in: News Center Maine
February 27, 2021
Local reps propose voting legislation
References An Act to Require Election Transparency and Audits (LR 1282), which the League is drafting with Representative Nicole Grohoski.
Published in: The Ellsworth American
Published in: Mount Desert Islander
February 5, 2021
Letter to the editor: Talk to legislators in favor of National Popular Vote bill
LTE written by a League and NPV volunteer.
Published in: Portland Press Herald
February 3, 2021
Lawmaker asks for nicknames to be allowed on ballots
The League testifies in support of this legislation.
Published in: News Center Maine
January 25, 2021
Corporations are rethinking their political contributions. They should stop them altogether.
Op-ed written by League board members Jill Ward and James Kilbreth.
Published in: Bangor Daily News
January 14, 2021
Maine groups urge King to support statehood for Washington, D.C.
The League of Women Voters of Maine joins other organizations, calling on Angus King to support and pass the D.C. Statehood bill.
Published in: Maine Beacon
January 7, 2021
Letter to the Editor: It’s time to let the people pick the president
This piece was written by our own Lori Calderone, LWVME member.
Published in: Portland Press Hearld
See more from the archive: [2021] [2020] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016] [2015] [2014]