Making Voting Harder: Why Maine's Question 1 is a Step Backwards

Maine's Question 1 on the November ballot is causing concern among many residents. It claims to improve election integrity, but in reality, it adds unnecessary obstacles to absentee voting. This affects thousands of people who rely on this system to participate in democracy. The proposal cuts two days from the absentee voting window and bans prepaid return postage. It also limits towns to a single drop box and ends ongoing absentee status for seniors and people with disabilities. Additionally, it introduces a photo ID requirement for absentee ballots, which could lead to complications if voters don't have the exact ID required. For many Mainers, absentee voting is not a convenience but a necessity. People with long work hours, those who travel for work, caregivers, students, and deployed service members all depend on this system. Each added step in the process increases the chance of a ballot missing a deadline. Research shows that vote-by-mail is a permanent and mainstream part of U. S. elections. Since 2000, mail voting has tripled and now makes up a large share of ballots nationwide. Security measures for mail ballots are robust and include signature verification, bipartisan processing, and strict chain-of-custody. Fraud via mail ballots is extremely rare, with large-scale studies consistently finding very low rates. The Postal Service has a strong track record of delivering ballots. In 2024, USPS delivered at least 99. 2 million ballots, with 99. 88% reaching officials within a week. In 2022, nearly 99% arrived within three days. Mainers have embraced absentee voting, with 2024 seeing the second-highest absentee totals in recent presidential cycles. Question 1 does not solve any real problems in Maine. If the goal is to increase confidence in the electoral process, strong processes already exist. If the goal is to boost participation, this measure moves backward by shrinking the voting window, adding paperwork, and removing conveniences like prepaid postage. It also makes it harder for small towns to offer accessible options with only one drop box allowed. For those who travel for work or have long hours, absentee voting is essential. It allows them to meet their civic obligation without choosing between a paycheck and a polling place. Democracy should adapt to the lives of the people it serves, not make it harder for them to participate.