As a veteran who proudly served this country for 16 years, I took an oath to defend the Constitution. A sacred right enshrined in that document is the right to vote, which countless Americans have fought and died to protect. Supporting the implementation of voter ID laws in Maine shouldn’t be a debate, because identity matters when you’re protecting something valuable. Few things are more valuable in a democratic republic than election integrity.

I’m not going to say that voter ID isn’t about exclusion, because it is. It’s to exclude those who do not have the right of citizenship, and those who wish to undermine the will of the American people. It’s about ensuring only legitimate votes count and keeping elections safe from fraud or error. Just as military operations are safeguarded with accountability and verification, so these standards should apply to the ballot box.

Opponents argue that voter ID laws will disenfranchise certain groups. However, IDs are a basic part of life — required to board a plane, cash a check or buy certain medications — making those claims fundamentally absurd. If anything, states should ensure that every eligible citizen can easily obtain an ID, not abandon the idea altogether.

Our democracy depends on trust that votes matter and that elections are secure. Voter ID laws, when fairly implemented, are a common-sense measure that strengthens that trust. We owe it to every present and future Mainer to protect the integrity of elections with the same vigilance.

Lorie Roy, TSgt, USAF (ret.)
Waterville