My dad passed away over 10 years ago, but that didn’t stop him from receiving an absentee ballot. This eye-opener led me to believe that automatic absentee ballot mailings are risky. I wholeheartedly support the voter ID initiative, which includes this needed reform.

It’s central to our constitutional way of government that no household should receive an unrequested absentee ballot. Persons requiring an absentee ballot should complete a document requesting one, thereby establishing a paper trail of their action. This reform, included in the voter ID initiative, would provide a needed change to the current system, which allows anyone to request a ballot by phone without providing proof of citizenship. This initiative will also require the individual to engage in the updated written request process for each election, thereby removing the automatic forwarding of absentee ballots for each election, taking subsequent unrequested ballots out of circulation, and preventing possible misuse.

Having access to an absentee ballot is a privilege that needs to be maintained in a manner that upholds the integrity of our election process. Let’s ensure that one person has one vote, a vote that is verified and properly accounted for.

The voter ID citizen’s initiative garnered more than enough signatures to land it on the ballot in November. Maine should join the 36 other states that already require voter ID. I urge all voters to vote in favor of the voter ID law for Maine.

Catherine Gentile
Yarmouth