Election Reform

Common Cause Maine Joins with Other Maine Organizations to Protect the Election

 

October 21, 2008

Portland , ME – Citizen groups today urged Maine ’s voters to know their voting rights for this year’s election. While national press has focused on potential widespread voting problems in other states such as voter list purges and political operatives providing deceptive voter information, voters in Maine could experience problems at the polls as well. To minimize the possibility of problems, voters need to know their rights, their duties, and what to do if they think their rights have been violated.

 

There are important issues for Mainers to vote on that will affect everyone. Maine is a small state, but we will play a pivotal role in federal elections. Important questions will be decided in close races affecting the future of our country, our state, and our communities.

 

Ann Luther, President of the League of Women Voters of Maine stated, "The leaders we elect make decisions that affect our jobs, our healthcare, our energy costs, and the legacy we leave to future generations.   Be part of this important election. You don’t have to vote for every question or candidate on the ballot, but you can vote on the issues that matter to you. And know your rights! If you have a problem, get help from a poll worker and don’t give up. Stay and vote! "

 

 “ Maine has some of the most inclusive voter rights in the nation,” said Jon Bartholomew of Common Cause Maine . “We have Election Day voter registration and voters may request an absentee ballot for any reason. Homeless individuals, incarcerated citizens and those with felony convictions may vote. Here are some important rights to remember: If you are told you aren’t registered and you don’t have identification, you can still register and cast a ‘challenged ballot’; you may vote right now at your town or city hall; and if you are in line when the polls close, you can still register and vote.”

 

“Our goal is to protect and strengthen the strongest most vibrant democracy in the world,” continued Bartholomew. “Any eligible voter who takes the time and energy to go out and vote should feel confident that they will not be turned away and that their vote will count. Common Cause is working to assure that will happen.”

 

There are significant concerns about problems at the polls in other states. Common Cause recently released a report titled “Voting in 2008 – Ten Swing States” that identifies issues voters are likely to face in the most hotly contested states in the nation. The report can be accessed at http://www.commoncause.org/votingin2008report and points out problems with voting machine allocation, voter identification requirements, poll worker training and deceptive practices. Maine has laws on the books that are generally voter friendly, so voters should feel confident that they can cast their ballot and have it be counted properly.

 

Still, there may be problems. Mainers experienced some problems with voter intimidation in 2002, prompting a new law designed to reduce frivolous ballot challenges. There have been past reports of voter registration forms being rejected because the forms were not filled out correctly. There may yet be other problems related to poll worker training, lack of communication, errors on registration forms, or poorly organized voter registration drives by private organizations.

 

Therefore, all Mainers are urged to know their voting rights and duties so we can have as few problems as possible and the cleanest elections in the nation.

 

“We are a group of nonpartisan organizations who have come together to make sure everyone votes and every vote is counted,” noted Harris Parnell, State Director of the League of Young Voters. “The 2004 election made us all aware of how precious each vote is. We want to make sure that no matter what the outcome of this election, each Maine voter will know that his or her vote was counted in the town halls, and not in the courts.”

 

The organizations provided lists of voting rights, voting duties, and tips to ensure your vote will be counted.

 

“Along with rights, voters also have responsibilities,” reminded Rachel Talbot Ross of the NAACP Portland Branch. “Voters should bring proof of identity and residency if you are registering at the polls or voting for the first time in a new district, and check with your town clerk’s office if you are unsure if you are registered to vote. If voting by absentee ballot, put 60 cents on it; and mail it early enough so it will be at the town clerk’s office on Tuesday, November 4th. And of course voters should educate themselves about the issues and candidates they will be voting on.”

 

“We don’t anticipate problems in Maine on the scale of those reported in other states because we have such a broad coalition working to ensure our elections are the cleanest in the nation,” said Shenna Bellows, Executive Director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation, “Protecting and exercising the right to vote is the best way to make sure everyone’s voice is heard at every level of government.”

 

“Mainers should be proud of this state’s inclusive voting laws that allow so many of our citizens to vote,” continued Bellows.  “The best way to celebrate the right to vote is to exercise it- by knowing your rights and going to the polls.”

 

The Elections Division at Secretary of State’s office in Augusta is ready to help voters at 624-7650.  If voters have concerns about their rights, be they Republican, Democrat, Green or independent, they may call 1-866-OUR-VOTE, 1-866-MY-VOTE1, or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA and speak to an attorney knowledgeable about Maine election law.

 

Voters can also visit http://www.866ourvote.org/ and connect with the Election Protection Coalition via Facebook and Twitter. The League of Women Voters of Maine also has a website with information helpful to Maine voters at www.lwvme.org.