A letter to the editor on June 23 carried the headline “Voter ID requirement is not unreasonable.” At first blush, requiring a photo ID at the polls seems quite benign. However, this referendum question is far more than simply requesting a photo ID at the polls.

This referendum would repeal ongoing absentee voting, which allows a voter to sign up once and have an absentee ballot automatically mailed to them for each election cycle. Voters would no longer be able to make a phone call to their town office requesting an absentee ballot. Think of people homebound or in nursing homes who are unable to go to a town office. These people have every right to cast their vote and this referendum would prevent their voices from being heard.

This referendum would also end the validity of student and tribal IDs for voter registration. This referendum would limit the number of drop boxes per town. This referendum would ban the usage of prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes. All of this will not only disenfranchise the disabled, the elderly, tribal members and students but also workers who can’t get to the polls regardless of reason.

This referendum is a form of voter suppression. Please read the entire referendum language to better understand its full impact on Mainers. We will be voting “No” in November.

Al and Pauline Huntley
South Portland