Union Members Speak Out Against Voter Suppression Referendum

Union members participated in a rally last Saturday to oppose a new ballot referendum that would severely restrict absentee voting. In 2024, a citizen’s initiative campaign collected signatures for regressive and restrictive changes to Maine’s voting laws. The proposal would severely limit the ability of Mainers to vote absentee. You can read the full draft proposal here.

Postal Workers (APWU) 458 President Scott Adams noted that in the 2024 election, on average, it took less than two days to deliver ballots from election officials to voters, and one day to deliver ballots from voters to election officials.

“Ensuring the security and timeliness of ballot mail this past election was a top priority for our union. Not only did postal workers unite to meet this goal, we exceeded expectations,” said Adams. “Giving registered voters access to the ballot box, including the ability to vote by mail, is as American as it gets. The opposite may be said for restricting voters’ ability to cast their vote and suppressing their voices.”

If allowed to become law, the referendum would:

• Eliminate ongoing absentee voting for elderly and disabled Mainers.
• Shorten the time period for early absentee voting by two days.
• Make it hard for Mainers who rely on absentee voting to cast their ballot, including elderly people, people with disabilities, Mainers in rural communities, and Mainers who are out of state on Election Day.
• Limit the number of secure ballot drop-off boxes a town may offer.
• Require a two-person, bipartisan team to check ballot boxes, instead of the municipal clerk or a trusted member of their staff.
• Prohibit towns from including return postage on absentee ballots, even if taxpayers vote to fund it.
• Prevent voters from calling their municipal clerk to request a ballot.
• Require voters to show an approved form of photo ID in order to obtain their ballot.

Maine Service Employees Association (MSEA-SEIU 1989) retiree Jane Gilbert of Augusta said at the rally that over 2,500 members of MSEA voted by absentee ballot in the last general election. She noted that many MSEA members vote absentee because they work irregular hours, second jobs or are subject to mandatory overtime – all of which create unpredictable work schedules. Parents with school-age children also use absentee voting due to childcare obligations. Others are retired and have medical or mobility issues that prevent them from standing in long voter lines or even traveling to their municipal clerk’s office to vote.

Gilbert said a husband and wife who are both retired state employees have significant health issues that require them to vote absentee. The woman suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and has degenerative disc disease, which complicates her ability to walk. She also has arthritis and uses portable oxygen when necessary.

“In short, she needs accommodations as she goes about her daily life,” said Gilbert. “One of the big issues for her is voting. She prides herself on never missing an election. She used to vote in person, but standing in a voting line became too painful for her, so lately she’s been voting by absentee ballot. We need to vote NO on this voter-suppression referendum so she can continue voting by absentee ballot.”