Protect Absentee Voting in Maine

No on Question 1!

This November you will be asked to vote on Question 1. This is an extreme, and extremely dangerous, voter suppression referendum and a direct attack on Maine’s absentee voting system. 40% of Mainers voted absentee in the last election. If passed, Question 1 will dismantle the system nearly half of us rely on to make our voices heard.

Question 1 will read:

“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?”

Question 1 is a threat to:

• Rural Mainers who live far from polling places.
• Voters with disabilities who rely on the accessibility of absentee ballots to be able to cast their vote.
• Seniors and others Mainers who need the flexibility to vote by mail. In 2024, 60% of Maine Seniors voted absentee.
• Working Mainers with multiple jobs who find it difficult or impossible to get to their polling place in the required hours.
• You! You never know when an issue will arise making it necessary for you to vote absentee.

Republicans supporting this voter suppression referendum want you to believe that it is “just about voter id requirements.” That is not true.

If passed, Question 1 will:

• Prevent you from requesting a ballot by phone. It will also prevent you from helping a family member request a ballot.
• End ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and voters with disabilities. If you have a disability or are a senior, you will no longer be able to indicate your need for an absentee ballot going forward. You will have to request an absentee ballot for each election.
• Ban prepaid return postage for absentee ballots. Don’t have a stamp and can’t get to the post office? Oh well!
• Limit the number of drop boxes available for returning absentee ballots to make it harder for you to return your ballot.
• Eliminate two days of absentee voting so you have less time to return your ballot.
• Require all voters to show “certain photo ID” before voting – when voting in-person and by absentee ballot.
• “Make other changes to our elections.” That’s a bit ominous. What other changes are they planning but not describing?

The Maine Democrats are partnering with the Save Maine Absentee Voting Coalition – a diverse, nonpartisan group of organizations from across Maine including the League of Women Voters, Maine People’s Alliance, the Maine Women’s Lobby, and others – to fight this egregious referendum with a broad canvassing campaign across the state.

How YOU Can Help 

We need you! For door knocking, canvassing, and organizing ideas, our on-the-ground organizer in Hancock County, Benjamin Costa, wants to hear from you. Complete the form below or give him a call at 603-828-9515.