Top Maine elections official testifies against mandatory voter ID

Maine’s prime election official testified Monday in opposition to a invoice that may require voters to supply photograph identification to forged ballots, saying it is pointless and would scale back voter participation.

Maine already requires proof of identification when registering to vote and requiring residents to indicate a selected ID once more would improve prices, problems and penalties, and switch eligible voters away, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, instructed the Committee On Veterans and Authorized Affairs.

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“Forcing folks to hold a selected sort of photograph identification to vote would end in logistical challenges, monetary burdens and potential discrimination,” she mentioned.

The invoice, sponsored by Republican Sen. Matthew Pouliot of Augusta, to require voters to current identification on the time of voting is a part of a broader effort by Republicans to give attention to voting safety. One other invoice, by Republican Rep. Abigail Griffin, R-Levant, would require voters to replace their registration each 4 years.

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These proposals face powerful prospects in a state the place there is no proof of widespread voting fraud and each chambers of the Legislature are managed by Democrats.

Maine makes it straightforward to vote, permitting voter registration on the identical day as an election.

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A invoice by Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, would make it simpler to vote by absentee poll by offering postage pay as you go return envelopes when voters request absentee ballots by mail.