The promise of our democracy says that “all” have equal rights to justice and suffrage, and that “every” voice matters. Throughout our history, however, we have all too often fallen short of these promises of equality and equity.

Thankfully, there have always been Americans whose belief in the promise of our aspirational democracy has outweighed fear driven by those who would hold us back from achieving it. On personal reflection since entering my 70s, I know that the paths I have been privileged to walk were blazed for me by those believers.

Civil rights leaders and other freedom fighters showed us that the work of upholding the promise of democracy is challenging, and can even be dangerous. Leaders like Congressman John Lewis endured beatings and imprisonment in the name of ensuring that the cornerstone of democracy — voting — was extended to all American citizens.

It was Congressman Lewis who declared that, “The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have.” This was the work that he inspired others to join, to protect the right to vote for all. This was the fight that he dedicated himself to until the day he died — five years ago last week — on July 17, 2020.

Here in Maine, we enjoy some of the strongest voting laws in the country. As a result, our voter participation ranks among the highest nationally, in every election. Our laws demonstrate that Mainers value everyone’s voice and vote. Honoring everyone’s voice also means acknowledging the individual challenges we all face. Our voting laws reflect this, which is why, in Maine, absentee voting is broadly used and incredibly popular.

This November, there is a referendum coming to our ballots that would effectively dismantle Maine’s absentee voting system. You’ve probably heard of this ballot question called the voter ID referendum, or Voter ID for ME, but this name does not tell the full story. As they say, the devil is in the details. In this case, our democracy is in the details!

This referendum proposes 27 changes to Maine voting laws, most of them aimed at absentee voting. And who does this question target? Who uses absentee voting in Maine?

Think of your neighbor with kids, juggling work schedules as well as their kids’ school and extracurriculars. Think of your cousin, working two jobs to pay rent and put food on the table. Think of your veteran uncle, who was wounded in the line of duty, suffers from a disability and can no longer drive. Think of your nephew or niece away at college.

Or, your older neighbor who, for years, has been able to call up the city clerk to request her absentee ballot; and, think of her daughter, who has picked up that ballot, helped her mother fill it out, and dropped it back off at city hall. Think of how happy they were when they found out your neighbor could sign up for ongoing absentee voting, and receive an absentee ballot automatically every election. Think of the countless Maine health care workers and first responders who work long, often unpredictable shifts.

Their voices and their votes matter. Absentee voting helps to make sure their voices are heard.

To be invested in the work of democracy is to be committed to standing up for each other. We say to each other: Our challenges and experiences may be different, but our rights ought to be the same. Let’s hold fast to the promise of this democracy and vote “No” in November.