Democrat U.S. Representative from Maine’s Second District Jared Golden urged voters to reject Question 1 at the ballot box this November in a written statement Friday .
Rep. Jared Golden (D) referred to Question 1 as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” according to reporting from the Portland Press Herald.
As Election Day approaches, two disparate pictures of the legislation behind Question 1 have emerged.
While supporters argue that the proposed law would help to secure Maine’s elections by requiring voters to show identification when casting their ballots, opponents frame the bill as an existential attack on the state’s absentee voting system.
The legislation proposed by this referendum question seeks to establish voter ID requirements for both in-person and absentee voting, as well as make several amendments to the absentee voting process.
For anyone who does not already have one of the several qualifying forms of identification — including a driver’s license, passport, or military ID — would be eligible to obtain a no-cost non-driver identification card.
This bill would also end Maine’s ongoing absentee voter program, eliminate the ability to request an absentee ballot over the phone, and change some of the rules surrounding absentee ballot drop boxes.
[RELATED: Breaking Down How Question 1 Would Change Election Law in Maine]
“Proponents say it will make our elections more secure, but the primary effect of its passage would be to make it harder for eligible Mainers to vote in the way that makes sense for them,” said Rep. Golden in a statement shared by the Portland newspaper.
“Mainers turn out to vote at one of the highest rates in the country, and absentee voting is a big reason why,” Golden said.
“This initiative would dismantle that absentee voting system that so many Mainers rely on,” argued Golden. “It would make it harder to vote for rural voters who live far from the polling place, voters with disabilities, seniors and people who work multiple jobs or can’t get away from the workplace on Election Day.”
[RELATED: Janet Mills Expresses Opposition to Question 1 on Next Month’s Ballot]
Earlier this week, Gov. Janet Mills (D) came out in opposition to Question 1 as well, urging Mainers to vote against the proposal.
“Whether you vote in person or by absentee ballot, you can trust that your vote will be counted fairly,” she continued. “But that fundamental right to vote is under attack from Question 1.”
“Proponents of Question 1 say it’s a way to make voting more secure,” she said, “but our voting is secure already, and there’s no evidence of widespread voter fraud.”
“You know, roughly 60 percent of seniors vote absentee, and it will limit the number of secure drop boxes,” she said. “Those drop boxes are carefully designed to be locked and secure, with keys only to the appropriate municipal official. This bill would change all of that.”
[RELATED: How Can Mainers Register to Vote Ahead of the November 4th Election?]
Mainers interested in participating in the November 4th election but are not yet registered to vote may sign up in-person at their local town hall from now until election day.
Registration will be open through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) until October 28.
Registered voters may either wait until election day to cast their ballots or take advantage of one of the state’s absentee or early voting options.
Early voting, or in-person absentee voting, is available until the close of business on October 30.
Absentee ballots may be requested from now until 5pm on October 30. In order to be counted, absentee ballots must be returned by voters to their local municipal clerk or placed in the appropriate absentee ballot drop box by 8pm on election day, November 4th.
Voters who plan to return their absentee ballots by mail should plan to send in their ballots no later than October 28, seven days prior to the election.
