The South Portland City Council is set to consider a resolve Tuesday night that appears to indirectly encourage opposition to Question 1 on this November’s statewide ballot, highlighting concerns about the possible impact of the bill on local election operations.
Although it is seemingly uncommon for a municipal government to take such a stance on an upcoming statewide referendum, the resolve that is up for consideration this week underscores the role that local officials play in administering elections.
Stemming from a citizens initiative, Question 1 seeks to implement voter ID requirements for both in-person and absentee voting.
The bill also looks to make several amendments to Maine’s absentee voter process more broadly.
Most notably, the proposed legislation would alter Maine’s ongoing absentee voter program, eliminate the option of requesting an absentee ballot over the phone, and change some of the rules surrounding absentee ballot drop boxes.
If passed, the question’s enabling legislation would also make a handful of other changes to the laws surrounding absentee voting in the State of Maine.
[RELATED: Breaking Down How Question 1 Would Change Election Law in Maine]
This Tuesday, local lawmakers are planning to discuss the draft resolve submitted by Councilor Natalie West in which the South Portland City Council would formally express several concerns regarding the legislation proposed in the statewide referendum.
The proposed resolve contends that Question 1 would “negatively impact local governance and increase the costs of local elections.”
As it is currently drafted, the resolve does not directly take issue with the in-person, election day voter ID requirements included within the proposed law.
Instead, the resolve takes aim at a number of other policies in the bill, such as requiring that drop boxes be maintained by a bipartisan team of election officials and requiring the submission of additional information from voters when requesting absentee ballots or voting early, among others.
The resolve also suggests that the elimination of the state’s on-going absentee voter program would create an “additional administrative responsibility” for city staff, noting that there are currently 55 South Portland residents who have signed up to automatically receive an absentee ballot for each election.
It is further indicated that 3,461 South Portland residents chose to vote early in-person during the November 2024 election. Another 3,634 voters were said to have used the City’s absentee ballot drop box during that same election cycle.
“The City Council finds that the passage of Question 1 on the November 4, 2025 state ballot would significantly increase the staff time and expense of conducting local elections and reduce financial and human resources that are needed for other city programs,” the resolve concludes.
Language included in an earlier draft of the resolve would have directly expressed opposition to Question 1, “urg[ing] all residents to vote “NO” on the this measure in the upcoming election,” but this has since been struck from the resolve.
Click Here to Read the Full Resolve Being Considered
There will be two opportunities for citizen comment during Tuesday night’s meeting, one before the Council is scheduled to discussed the proposed resolve and one after.
Residents who speak during the first discussion period will not be eligible speak during the second.
Remarks offered during either portion of the meeting will be limited to a maximum of three minutes.
Tuesday’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm at City Hall, located at 25 Cottage Road, on the second floor in the Council Chambers.
