Maine Citizens Keep Early Registration

In Maine, voters approved a citizens’ veto of a law that would have taken away same-day voter registration by a 60 percent vote.

The Maine legislature voted to eliminate same day registration in June, but volunteers gathered enough signatures for a November referendum.

Maine legislators pitched the same old story — restrictions were needed to fight against “voter fraud.” Except there hasn’t been any voter fraud. The Boston Globe reported that in 2010, Maine registered 60,000 new votes on Election Day with no proven claims of voter fraud. In the 38 years of same-day registration in the state, there have only been two cases of voter fraud, the ACLU reported.

But Maine legislators aren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet, with some looking to pass a restrictive voter ID law. Maine citizens, stay tuned.