Sharon Bemis wrote an op-ed on April 8 in support of Sen. Susan Collins and the “SAVE America” Act (I’m adding the quotes because I do not believe it will save America anything). Bemis praised Collins for her principled support of what I deem to be an unnecessary act.

Plain and simple, if we must show identification at the polling booth, so be it (though I maintain that this is a solution just looking for a problem). But that’s not the worst of it. The proposal seeks to greatly curtail mail-in voting. The president, the proposal’s biggest supporter, just voted by mail in Florida. How does that compute?  

I had written to Collins a few weeks ago simply asking her to answer some questions about this proposed legislation. Most confusing to me is the plight of women, and what kind of documentation we would need if our passport or license does not match our birth certificate. Do we need to bring birth certificate, marriage license and passport when we vote?

Answer? Crickets!

I asked also if older adults who have ceased to drive or travel could possibly use an expired license or passport to prove who they are. Answer? Crickets.

I took my mother, who used a walker and was 100-plus years old, to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to get a REAL ID (so she could prove she was alive for Social Security). This was no easy feat, but we did it. I’d like answers.

Regi Robnett
Portland