BILL TO IMPROVE VOTING ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES RECEIVES STAMP OF APPROVAL

Bill would provide voter registration assistance to people with disabilities

AUGUSTA – Senator John Patrick (D-Rumford) is sponsoring a bill to increase voter access for people with disabilities. The bill requires voter registration services be available at all state agencies that provide services to people with disabilities, including campuses of the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System. The measure further specifies that a person who offers assistance in the voter registration process may not seek to influence the applicant’s political preference.

“Anytime we can encourage voter participation, it’s a good thing,” said Senator Patrick. “A disability should never be a barrier to participating in our democracy, and this measure makes it easier for people to take the first step by registering to vote.”

Maine had already expanded voter registration locations to comply with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which requires states to allow for registration when a person is applying for or renewing their driver’s license or applying for a social service. In 2011, more than 60% of Maine voters supported a referendum to keep same-day voter registration in Maine, and Maine is one of only 8 states that allow same-day voter registration.

At the public hearing, the Maine Disability Rights Center and the Maine Women’s Lobby spoke in favor of the bill, as did a representative from the Secretary of State’s office. No on testified against the bill. The measure, LD 1306, “An Act to Enhance Voter Registration for Persons with Disabilities,” will have a work session before the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee later in the session.