It’s hard to believe that just over a century ago, half of our nation’s population could not exercise their right to vote. It wasn’t until August of 1920 that Congress ratified the 19th amendment, which technically recognized American women’s right to vote. Though this was a watershed moment in our country’s history, it was just the beginning. At the time, few white women were able to exercise that right, let alone Black and Brown Americans. It wasn’t until the Voting Rights Act in 1965 did we begin to see a meaningful difference in the ability of Americans to exercise this fundamental right. As we witness ongoing efforts to suppress the votes in other states or gerrymander districts, the anniversary of the 19th Amendment serves as a reminder that a majority Americans were not granted the right to vote, they spent decades, if not centuries, fighting for it.
The right to vote is fundamental to who we are as Americans. In Maine, my colleagues and I have not only fought back against efforts to undermine voters’ rights, but we have also worked to make sure all Maine voters can make their voices heard, and that it’s a quick, simple and secure process. One exciting development is that now, registering to vote in Maine is even easier. Thanks to a law that the Legislature passed back in 2019, Maine now has an automatic voter registration system! This means that going forward, any time you visit a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branch
to get or renew a driver’s license or ID, you will be prompted with the opportunity to register to vote or to update your existing registration. All you need to do is provide proof of your citizenship and residency. Adults 18 years or older will be registered to vote, while 16- and 17-year-olds will have the opportunity to “pre-register,” meaning that they will be all set to vote once they turn 18.
On July 20, I had the pleasure of joining our Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, along with fellow lawmakers at the Scarborough BMV for a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the implementation of the new voter registration system. It was a great opportunity to come together and reflect on the progress we have made to protect Mainers’ right to vote and ensure everyone can access the ballot box. Fittingly, my daughter joined us and afterward, we went inside the BMV for her to get her learner’s permit!
While Mainers will still be able to register to vote using paper forms, this new automatic voter registration system will make it even quicker for folks to do so, while also simplifying the process for our town clerks. Additionally, Maine still offers same-day voter registration, so if you forget to register in advance of an election, you can do so right at your polling place on the day of.
Automatic voter registration isn’t the only step we’ve taken to preserve and expand access to the ballot box. Last year, my colleagues and I in Augusta passed a law that guarantees the right to use absentee ballot drop boxes and maintains an online ballot tracking system so people can know if their ballot has been accepted by their clerk. These changes took the uncertainty out of absentee voting. We also passed another law to ban corporate campaign contributions in state elections. Mainers should be the ones making decisions about who our leaders are, not big corporations. We even passed a law that will allow people to securely register to vote online – that will take effect next year.
Here in Maine, we take pride in our elections. Our independent streak, high turnout and reliable results are key features. As your state senator, I have been proud to fight to protect the sanctity of our elections and your access to the ballot box. I promise to continue doing so as long as I represent you in Augusta.
If you have any questions, comments or ideas, don’t hesitate to send me an email at Stacy.Brenner@legislature.maine.gov or call my office at (207) 287-1515.
Stacy Brenner is serving her first term in the Maine Senate, representing Senate District 30, which includes Gorham, part of Buxton, and part of Scarborough. She is the co-owner of Broadturn Farm in Scarborough and is also a certified nurse-midwife.