Maine Senate Approves Voter ID
Augusta – The Maine Senate today approved LD 197, “An Act To Strengthen Maine’s Election Laws by Requiring Photographic Identification for the Purpose of Voting” by a vote of 18-17.
“Passage of Voter ID is a great development for all Maine citizens,” said Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo). “There’s a reason why the overwhelming majority of registered voters support this legislation: It protects the integrity of the system, and that is crucial for all of us who put our faith in it. My hope is that the House of Representatives will also acknowledge the wishes of voters and approve this.”
Added Senator Garrett Mason (R-Androscoggin), Senate Majority Leader, “Voting is a precious right. Putting a voter ID requirement in place is a commonsense approach to safeguard our system. With everything else people must show an ID for, it is reasonable that citizens would show an ID to vote. I am pleased we took this first step toward implementing voter ID in Maine.”
The measure, sponsored by Senator Ron Collins (R-York), requires that a voter present their photo ID to the election clerk when they check in to receive their ballot. If a voter cannot present their photo ID, they must sign a provisional ballot affidavit and must prove their identity to the election clerk within five business days of the election.
Voters can also cast a ballot without an ID if the election clerk or official can personally attest to the voter’s identity. In these instances, an affidavit will once again be provided by the Secretary of State.
The bill requires the Secretary of State to provide, at no fee, non-driver identification cards to eligible persons who do not have another form of acceptable photographic identification to verify identity for the purpose of voting.
“From voting on union contracts to renting a car to buying alcohol to purchasing certain medicines to getting a marriage license, people have to show an ID. That’s just the start of the list, so it is certainly reasonable to expect that people can present one to vote,” said Senator Collins. “In order to ensure our democracy is functioning as it should be, we have to be able to trust in the integrity of our voting system. That’s just common sense. It is a matter of protecting our democracy.”
Thirty-one states have some form of voter identification law. Courts have regularly upheld the legality of requiring a photo ID to vote, and 74% of Americans polled by Rasmussen support some form of voter identification requirement.
LD 197 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.