What’s on your ballot?
On November 4, Mainers will vote on two different ballot questions. The League of Women Voters of Maine is committed to providing information to voters so that they feel confident when they vote.
Question 1 and 2 are Citizen’s Initiatives. These reach the ballot through a process of signature collection. When enough Maine voters sign the petition, the question goes on the ballot for a statewide vote.
Question One:
Citizen Initiative
The question will ask:
Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?
A YES vote means you want to implement 27 changes to Maine’s election laws.
A NO vote means you do not want to implement these changes.
What it’s asking: Question 1 is a citizen’s initiative. It will ask if voters want to enact over 27 changes to Maine’s election laws, including changing popular aspects of absentee voting, stripping away ongoing absentee voting, restricting the use of dropboxes, and implementing photo ID in order to vote.
The League of Women Voters of Maine opposes Question 1 and views it as a form of voter suppression. These measures will not ensure election security, but the changes are guaranteed to suppress voters, including elderly Mainers, as well as tribal members, students, disabled, and poor voters.
Absentee voting is used by thousands of Mainers every election cycle. It’s a popular, and secure, service that makes it easier for rural voters, and those serving overseas, to cast their ballot. Question 1 would make it impossible for voters to request an absentee ballot over the phone. It would also prevent an authorized third party from delivering an absentee ballot, a service that many elderly and disabled Mainers rely on. The League opposes adding additional barriers to voting.
These restrictions can and will harm every type of voter, with senior and rural voters experiencing the worst of the disenfranchisement. It will be costly, too. Taxpayers will be on the hook to pay for a new system. All of the evidence suggests that voter IDs don’t prevent voter fraud. Maine has safeguards in place to prevent fraud, cyber attacks, and other kinds of foul play that would attempt to subvert our elections.
Vote NO on Question 1 on Tuesday, November 4.
Question Two:
Citizen Initiative
The question will ask:
Do you want to allow courts to temporarily prohibit a person from having dangerous weapons if law enforcement, family, or household members show that the person poses a significant danger of causing physical injury to themselves or others?
A YES vote means you want to implement this ERPO law.
A NO vote means you do not want to implement this law.
What it’s asking: Question 2 is a citizen’s initiative led by the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. It is an “Extreme Risk Protection Order,” or ERPO, initiative that would permit family members to seek a court order to remove firearms if another family member is a risk to themselves or others.
PROS: A true ERPO law could prevent future violent gun incidents in Maine, building a safety net for family members to help their loved ones in a moment of crisis.
CONS: Opponents may view Maine’s current “yellow flag” law as sufficient. Others may view this as an infringement on their right to bear arms.