The Maine Legislature voted during its last session to require Maine residents to register to vote at least two business days before an election. Here are two good reasons to vote yes on Question 1 on Nov. 8 to restore our right to register to vote on election day.
* It’s fair. In the 2008 elections, more than 50,000 Mainers registered on election day. Many of them had moved recently, or lacked access to transportation, or were busy working a second or third job, or were voting for the first time. It’s unfair to make it difficult for people in these situations to exercise their right to vote.
* It works. For 38 years, Maine has had same-day voter registration and encountered no problems with it. As a result of making voting convenient, the state has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country — something we should be proud of. Why fix what isn’t broken?
Lee Sharkey
Vienna
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