This newsletter is a long one, so let's get right into it.
Here are your weekly updates 👇
It's going to be a busy week of public hearings and work sessions. Here are just some of the bills that we're watching or plan to testify on:
Public Hearings in the VLA // Monday, March 13 // 10 AM
- 🌟 New! LD 812 — Improving the Absentee Ballot Process: This bill would improve the accessibility of in-person absentee voting. It would expand Clerk's office hours to include Saturdays and Sundays for town populations 7,000+ and increase the absentee ballot processing time from 7-14 days, so that Clerks have more time to facilitate elections. We plan to testify in support – with some suggestions.
Work Sessions in the VLA // Wednesday, March 15 // 10 AM
- LD 26 — Prepaid Postage for Absentee Ballots: This bill would require the Secretary of State to provide prepaid postage on the return envelopes for absentee ballots. We testified as NFNA.
- LD 237 — Voter Re-registration: This bill would require voters to renew their voter registration every four years. We opposed this one but we might see a helpful amendment to be presented at the work session.
Additional Updates:
LD 577 — Town Websites to Host More Election Info: This bill would provide state support through the office of the Secretary of State for towns to disseminate local election information online. We really like this bill. We did not get a chance to say so at the public hearing on Thursday, but you can read our testimony here. There seems to be some good support for this. We are hopeful.
Protect Maine Elections
For far too long, the voices of Maine voters have been drowned out by foreign government interference and dark money special interest groups. With the Protect Maine Elections initiative, we have the opportunity to protect the integrity of our elections and to restore confidence in our democracy. Join us in encouraging the Legislature to pass this initiative. Click here to email your rep. It only takes a few seconds.