AUGUSTA - Rep. Charles Skold, D-Portland, introduced legislation on Monday that would make voting more efficient and accessible for eligible Mainers.
Including an amendment proposed by Rep. Skold, LD 812 would require municipalities with a population over 7,000 to provide an opportunity for in-person absentee voting on a Saturday prior to election day, expand the window for processing absentee ballots by election officials from seven to 14 days and give members of the public more time to request an absentee ballot inspection prior to the clerk processing ballots.
"This bill would improve voter access by giving working Mainers an opportunity to vote on the weekend," said Skold. "People who work regular business hours Monday through Friday would have an opportunity to cast their ballot in-person at their local town hall. No need to miss work. No need to fill out an application beforehand, just show up Saturday to your town hall and cast your vote."
The bill is supported by numerous organizations, including Maine Conservation Voters,
The Center for Secure and Modern Elections, Represent Us and The League of Women Voters.
"Expanding in-person absentee voting, particularly outside of standard business hours, is an important way to ensure more equitable access to voting," said Alysia Melnick on behalf of the Center for Secure and Modern Elections. "We support efforts such as this bill to ensure that working people and others unable to vote during business hours have more options to do so. Weekend voting is an important part of that effort."
The Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Skold is serving his first term in the Maine House. He represents part of Portland in District 119, comprising Downtown, Munjoy Hill and Casco Bay Islands. He serves on the Labor and Housing Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Skold], c. 305-965-2744