AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature gave initial approval this week to a bill from Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, that would increase voter access to the ballot and provide clearer guidance to municipal officials overseeing elections. The vote in the House was 79-58, and the vote in the Senate was 22-12.
LD 1575 would allow students at Maine's public and private schools to use their student photo IDs as proof of identity, accounting for students who can't bring a utility bill or who live in different locations on and around their school's campus from year to year. The bill would also allow Maine's secretary of state to develop clear rules around poll watchers and others with an interest in the outcome of an election when at a voting location. The legislation would also provide the public with more information about secure ballot drop box locations and how to vote after the no-excuse absentee voting period has ended.
"This is an important step forward to help ensure voter access for all eligible Mainers," McCreight said. "Whether we're talking about college students, seniors or anyone in between, we know that it's critical we defend voting rights and make sure that everyone understands the election process. I'm grateful a majority of my colleagues agree."
During the bill's public hearing before the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, the measure drew supportive testimony from the League of Women Voters of Maine, the Maine Women's Lobby, American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, Maine Equal Justice, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and others. After town clerks raised objections to some provisions in the first draft of the bill, McCreight worked with them to address their concerns in the bills final version.
"We need to make our elections more accessible for Maine voters in order to strengthen our democracy and ensure all voices are heard," said Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, a co-sponsor of the bill. "The passage of LD 1575 will put us one step closer to making these much-needed democratic reforms a reality."
The bill next faces final enactment votes in both the House and Senate.
McCreight, House chair of the Legislature's Marine Resources Committee and a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents Harpswell, West Bath and northeastern Brunswick.
Rielly, also a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, is serving his first term in the Maine House. He represents a portion of Westbrook.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [McCreight, Reilly], c. 812-1111