During the June referendum, two locals did more than vote. Helen King Atallah of East Boothbay and Steve Carbone of Boothbay Harbor worked a petition drive with a goal of bringing a stricter voter identification law to Maine. 

The proposed law would require voters to present a photo identification when requesting an absentee ballot, unless they have a religious exemption to being photographed. Voters without a photo ID could cast a provisional ballot, which would be counted if they produce a photo ID within four days of the election. The proposed change would also require the secretary of state’s office to provide free state nondriver IDs to people.

Opponents believe a photo ID requirement would make it harder for residents to vote legally, particularly those who are older and no longer have a driver’s license. In 2021, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows testified against a legislative proposal during a Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee hearing. “Forcing people to carry a specific type of photo identification to vote would result in logistical challenges, financial burdens and potential discrimination,” she said. 

But Carbone and King Atallah believe the measure brings voter integrity and security into the process. Both took part June 11 in a statewide conservative grassroots’ coalition effort. They joined a conservative grassroots organization called by “The Dinner Table” founded by Alex Titcomb of Richmond.

Carbone heard about the petition drive while attending the Maine State Republican Convention in April. He wanted to participate in the petition drive in hopes of getting the referendum to voters for the November 2025 election. He previously worked on a petition drive submitted to the legislature without success. “I carried a clipboard for six months last year gathering signatures,” Carbone said. “We presented it to the legislature, and they wouldn’t even bring it up for a vote.”

He is more optimistic about the new initiative. Carbone believes without voter identification it allows for more fraud to creep into elections. “Thirty-six states already have it. I don’t see the problem with simply showing proof of who you are,” he said. 

King Atallah agrees. She joined the effort while reading about voter integrity issues. She joined The Dinner Table’s grassroots petition drive. “I’m concerned about people voting without proper ID. I’ve been involved in politics for 22 years and voter integrity is something  I believe in,” she said. 

Post-election, The Dinner Table declined to provide information about how many signatures were gathered. “We are not releasing totals of our June 11 signature collection effort until we get all the petitions back,” Titcomb wrote in an email. “Those who were part of our volunteer force will be updated first, and then everyone else after.” 

Locally, Carbone and King Atallah may have struggled in collecting signatures. Turnout in Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor was just over 20%, according to town clerks. Statewide, turnout was 37.2%, according to the Secretary of State’s office. 

By 10:30 a.m., Carbone had collected 26 in Boothbay Harbor. King Atallah collected 42 signatures by 9 a.m. “People are familiar with the issue and they are eager to sign. You don’t really need much explanation,” she said.

Petitioners have until Jan. 23, 2025 to submit petitions to qualify for the November ballot.