Voting is a right, not a privilege. Question 1 on November’s ballot asks Mainers to approve three changes to election law: eliminate two days of absentee voting, make it harder to request and return absentee ballots and require photo ID. These changes may seem minor, even sensible. They are not. They raise unwarranted barriers to a fundamental right.

Voting is not like driving, where we earn the privilege by passing a test. Privileges can be taken away — when people drive drunk, for example. Voting is a right. Rights cannot be taken away, except under extreme circumstances.

Question 1 makes voting harder for rural, older and disabled Mainers, though studies by Republican and Democratic groups show there is virtually no voting fraud in Maine or America.

Rights are granted to all, not only those who can easily travel to polls. Voting is a right, not a privilege. Vote “No” on Question 1.

Meghan Casey
Yarmouth