Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, whose political group, The Dinner Table, is leading a "Voter ID for ME" initiative that would require Mainers to provide photo identification to vote, speaks during a Jan. 6, 2025, rally at the State House in Augusta, Maine, about the plan to put the initiative on the November 2025 ballot. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Letters submitted by BDN readers are verified by BDN Opinion Page staff. Send your letters to letters@bangordailynews.com

I believe Maine’s voting laws and structures are among the best in the nation. It’s a source of civic pride. We have among the highest participation by eligible voters in Maine elections. We turn out and make our voices heard!

Our procedures are secure, robust, and fair. We obtain results I believe we can trust. Everything is working well.

So why on earth would we want to change this, to make it much harder for many citizens to participate in the franchise? To put voting out of reach for potentially thousands of eligible voters?

Why would any group pretend to be a guardian of public interest but instead gather signatures for a petition to put a referendum on the ballot this November that is designed to make radical changes to Maine’s voting laws? What do they want?

Apparently, it appears some folks prefer voting systems to be very exclusive. It seems they don’t like a representative government — one that listens to the voice of the people and responds to us by enacting policies for the general good. They don’t choose a democratic republic that lifts up the voices of ordinary citizens, all of us.

Dark money interests from away are targeting Maine voters. These interests would deny some citizens our full rights. To do what? Why take away the rights of citizens to participate and be heard?

Find out more at SaveAbsentee.ME and vote “no” on Question 1 this November. To me, Voter ID for ME represents only waste, fraud, and abuse.

Victoria Olson

Waldo

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