By Randy Billings, Portland Press Herald
At a public hearing Friday, critics highlighted a range of proposed changes likely to go before voters in November, including restrictions on absentee voting.
Lawmakers heard hours of testimony Friday from opponents of several proposals to require photo identification prior to voting in Maine, including a citizen initiative that would also place new restrictions on absentee voting.
Most of the testimony focused on the citizen initiative led by Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, that is likely headed to a statewide referendum in November. It calls for sweeping electoral reforms including a voter ID requirement, restrictions on absentee voting, a limit on the number of ballot drop boxes and other requirements that election officials said would be difficult and expensive to implement.
Opponents argued that Maine’s elections are already secure and that the new requirements would only make it more difficult for some people to vote, including elderly residents, people with disabilities, people without reliable transportation, busy parents and shift-workers. Those who spoke in favor, mostly the Republican sponsors of the bills, argued they are commonsense reforms to increase confidence in elections.
Libby downplayed the overwhelming opposition to the new voting requirements from individuals and groups, such as the AARP, the Maine Town and City Clerks Association, the Maine State Nurses Association, the Maine Education Association and the Maine Women’s Lobby.
But others dismissed that claim, accusing signature gatherers of not explaining the sweeping changes to absentee voting also included in the bill.
Read the full article in the Portland Press Herald.
May 2, 2025.
