[Due 3/1/2025] Maine - Absentee Ballots & Absentee Status

I support LD 718 “An Act to Require Municipal Clerks to Issue Absentee Ballots Only to Residents of That Municipality and to Eliminate Ongoing Absentee Voter Status.”

As I understand it, this bill requires a municipal clerk to issue an absentee ballot only to a person who is registered to vote in that municipality, including the voter and an immediate family member or a 3rd person designated by the voter to deliver the ballot on the voter's behalf.  It also repeals the provisions allowing for application for ongoing absentee voter status.

This is common sense legislation.  I would assume people who weren’t supposed to receive a ballot, did.  Why wouldn’t we want this sort of ballot restriction?  Additionally, current practice allows for those age 65 or older or, who self-identifies as having a disability, can complete an application for an “ongoing absentee ballot status” to have a ballot sent to them forever.  This makes zero sense.  Voter status can change.  People move, people die, people change parties.  Who gets that ongoing supplied ballot if the voter moves or dies?

Election/voter integrity has been suspect in past elections.  Why would any government/municipality be afraid of transparency?  This bill, once enacted into law, would help to restore registered voters’ faith in our election integrity.

Again, I support LD 718 “An Act to Require Municipal Clerks to Issue Absentee Ballots Only to Residents of That Municipality and to Eliminate Ongoing Absentee Voter Status”, and it ought to pass.

My name is [Your Name], and I am a resident of [Your Town/City]. I am here today to testify in support of LD 718, as I believe it strengthens election integrity by ensuring absentee ballots are handled within the communities where voters are registered. This bill takes an important step toward increasing local accountability in our election process, and I urge the committee to vote "Ought to Pass."

However, I would like to raise a concern about one specific provision: the requirement that an immediate family member or third-party ballot helper must also be registered to vote in the same municipality as the voter. While I understand the intent—ensuring local control and accountability—I worry this could unintentionally create difficulties for voters who rely on family members for assistance but whose relatives live in a different town.

For example, an elderly voter who needs help obtaining or returning an absentee ballot might naturally turn to an adult child or sibling, but if that family member lives just across a town line, they would be ineligible to assist. In rural areas or for those with mobility challenges, this restriction could make it harder for some voters to participate, even though their intent is fully legitimate.

I believe LD 718 is a strong and necessary bill, and I fully support its core principles. However, I ask the committee to consider whether this specific provision might be adjusted to still maintain election integrity while allowing greater flexibility for voters who rely on assistance from close family members who may live outside their municipality.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I urge you to pass LD 718 while taking this concern into account, and I am happy to answer any questions.

[Your Name]
[Your Town]
[Optional: Contact Information]