Dear Editor:

I volunteer with the Save Maine Absentee Voting Coalition and have been canvassing in Damariscotta and Wiscasset. I have heard frompeople on the street that the requirement to provide a photo ID is reasonable and would not be a burden to anyone. If this bill passes on Nov. 4, only the following forms of photo ID would be allowed: State driver's license, State-issued non driver ID, Passport or Military ID.  The following would no be allowed: Tribal ID, College student ID and Employee ID. 

Although thiswouldn’t be a burden for me since I have a driver’s license, as well as a passport, I think it’s important to recognize that everyone who currently votesare not in the same situation. Many people who vote with anabsentee ballot are either elderly or disabled in some way that means they do not drive. A passport has a fee of $165 and doesn’t make any sense to get if you aren’t planning to travel.

While it is true that state ID cards can be obtained at no cost at the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, there are no permanent BMV offices in five of Maine’s 16 counties. In addition to the access problem, these offices are only open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and that may be an obstacle for someone who relies on others to drive them.

According to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, there are approximately 50,000 individuals of voting age who do not have a Maine driver’s license or state ID credential.

If we as a state decide that it’s important to show a state issued photo ID at the polls, then we need to provide easy access for everyone to get this ID first and not put unnecessary obstacles in front of our residentsto vote. Let’s remember a democracy can only function if all the citizens have an equal and unburdened opportunity to vote. 

Pam Wylie

Edgecomb