In recent weeks, the Portland Press Herald has published several readers’ letters encouraging a “Yes” vote on the voter ID referendum, citing the harmless nature of providing positive eligibility to vote in local, state and federal elections. Personally, I have no problem with that simple prospect.

I have voted in elections since 1962, when I first became entitled to vote, and have never had a problem with the process. I do not believe presentation of identification in person to the voting clerks would be burdensome. Historically in Maine (and other states in the country), voter fraud is minimal, but even so the concept of positive identification seems fair and reasonable.

However, the letter writers encouraging a “Yes” vote, for whatever reason, completely overlook all the myriad changes to Maine’s voting practices that this referendum would create. All Maine voters should read the full context of the ballot question to see how many changes and restrictions there would be if the measure is approved. The actual wording of the ballot question is straightforward, easy to read and understand, and in no way is it confusing as its opponents keep insisting.

Approval of this referendum would be an act of voter suppression; pure and simple. I urge voters to reject this obvious effort to make voting in Maine more difficult.

Mose Price
Harpswell