The wording of a ballot measure asking voters to approve a photo ID requirement for elections is now finalized.
The lengthy one-sentence ballot question includes numerous restrictions on absentee voting included in the measure ahead of the photo ID language.
The initiative is titled “An Act to Require an Individual to Present Photographic Identification for the Purpose of Voting.”
The language in the question reads, “Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?”
The photo ID requirement is going before voters in November after the legislature failed to pass a bill sponsored by Republican state Representative Laurel Libby.
The wording of the measure was released Monday by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who said public comment was considered in drafting the final language.
Libby says Mainers have shown they support voter ID for many years and points out more than 171,000 signed a petition to get the measure on the ballot.
Bellows, a Democrat, opposes the voter ID requirement, saying it would limit voter access for Mainers.
Beth White with the Maine Service Employees Association has called the measure, including the absentee voting restrictions, an attempt at voter suppression.
