Coming to your ballot in November:
“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?”
What is at Stake?
➔ Eliminates ongoing absentee voting for elderly and disabled Mainers.
➔ Shortens the time period for early absentee voting by two days.
➔ Requires voters to show an approved form of ID to obtain their ballot.
➔ Limits the number of secure ballot drop-off boxes a town may offer.
➔ Mandates a two-person, “bipartisan” team to check ballot boxes, instead of the clerk or a trusted member of their staff. This restriction will place undue pressure on town clerks and will lead to many towns simply eliminating their secure drop boxes.
➔ Prohibits towns from including return postage on absentee ballots, even if taxpayers vote to fund it.
➔ Prevents voters from requesting a ballot over the phone, making it harder for those without reliable transportation or internet to request an absentee ballot.
How should I talk about this campaign?
TAKE ACTION TODAY: maineea.org/savegetinvolved
Why is MEA involved?
At the MEA Representative Assembly, MEA members passed New Business Item 11, directing the association to collaborate with partner organizations to educate members about the consequences of the proposed ballot initiative. MEA will work to raise awareness about the harmful effects of the so-called “voter ID” referendum question and mobilize members to oppose this measure at the ballot box.
What can I say to folks who are skeptical?
A lot of information – and misinformation – will be circulating about this referendum. When talking to folks, start with what we have in common: We all want our elections to be as secure as possible. We also want to make sure every Maine citizen can safely vote in every election.
This referendum makes sweeping changes to vital provisions of our secure voting system. It’s bad for everyday people, especially older Mainers, people with a disability, rural voters, and folks without reliable transportation – people who rely on absentee voting.
How can I help?
To defeat this initiative, we need MEA members to step up and help spread the word about the importance of absentee voting. By educating voters on how this initiative could impact them, you can make a real difference. If you’re ready to get involved in MEA’s voter education efforts, visit maineea.org/savegetinvolved.
TAKE ACTION TODAY: maineea.org/savegetinvolved
