The Maine Legislature said no last week to letting unenrolled voters take part in primaries. Both legislative chambers voted in opposition to LD 211 “An Act to Open Maine’s Primary.” The bill would’ve let unenrolled voters vote in primary elections without enrolling in a party.

In November 2018, 34.9% of Maine voters were unenrolled which outnumbers the state’s Republican and Democratic enrollment. Fifteen states have open primaries and supporters hoped in 2019 Maine would become the 16th. Open Primaries Maine led a coordinated effort this spring to boost primary voter turnout by eliminating restrictions against non-affiliated party voters. “Unenrolled voters just don’t want to enroll in a party even if it’s for a short period of time,” said Maine Open Primary Campaign Coordinator Kaitlin LaCasse. “Seventy percent of state legislative races are effectively decided in the primary. These elections are governed by state statute, funded by taxpayers and organized by state and local government administrators. The current law places a barrier to people who want to vote, but who won’t join a party.”

In the month prior to the votes, Open Primaries Maine tracked 1,053 phone calls, 626 emails and 104 in-person conversations between Mainers and legislators in support of the bill. But the proposal received an “ought not to pass” vote from the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. On May 23, the House of Representatives voted 89-45 to accept the committee’s recommendation. And on May 28, the Senate followed suited with an 18-16 vote.  Had the Senate voted not to accept the recommendation, the House would’ve taken a reconsideration vote.

Despite the defeat, supporters believed the measure had gained significant legislative support. The bill received support from House Speaker Sara Gideon, a Freeport Democrat and Senate President Troy Jackson, an Allagash Democrat. In the House, the bill received more votes than previous similar measures. The bill also received its first-ever Senate floor vote. 

“All options are still on the table. Over the next several weeks, we will be debriefing and discussing our next steps,” LaCasse said. 

Local legislators were split about the proposal. Sen. Dana Dow, R-Waldoboro, voted to accept the committee’s ought not to pass recommendation. In the  House, all four local representatives voted against accepting the committee’s recommendation: Holly Stover, a Boothbay Democrat, Chloe Maxmin, a Nobleboro Democrat, Jeff Evangelos, a Friendship independent and Allison Hepler, a  Woowich Democrat.