The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Sept. 26, 2025
Maine voters decide November 4th whether adding more ID and mail-in voting restrictions for most voters justifies preventing almost nonexistent voter fraud. Question 1 tightens voter ID requirements, and adds hurdles for mail-in voters, including the elderly and disabled, despite only two voter fraud convictions since 1982.
“Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?”
Read the FULL statute text here
About half of Maine’s over 842,000 2024 voters used a mail-in ballot, and over 16,000 subscribe to an ongoing absentee voter list, according to the state’s September 2025 figures. If approved, Question 1 would eliminate the absentee list, and prohibit requesting an absentee application by phone. It also prohibits third parties from delivering absentee ballot applications, including family members. Maine’s population is the oldest in the U.S., with 21.8% of residents over 65.
Question 1 also limits the number of drop boxes available in each town to only one, and requires a bipartisan team of town officials just to check the box. Opponents of the amendment fear the cost and hassle will result in towns curtailing drop boxes entirely.
Question 1 also narrows to Maine’s voter ID options, eliminating student IDs, tribal IDs and other currently acceptable documents, despite no evidence of abuse.
At almost 75%, Maine consistently has one of the highest voter turnouts in the country,and the Heritage Foundation’s own figures show just two convictions for voter fraud – in over 40 years.
We have the text of Question 1 at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Maine Morning Star – (2024) Maine voter turnout this year surpassed previous record high
State of Maine – Question 1 as it appears on the ballot
Question 1 – (via Ballotpedia) Full Text as it revises statute
The Beacon – Maine voter suppression referendum to appear as Question 1 on ballot
Maine Morning Star – Here are the big questions that will appear on Maine’s November ballot
Ballotpedia – Maine Question 1, Require Voter Photo ID and Change Absentee Ballot and Drop Box Rules Initiative (2025)
Brennan Center for Justice – Debunking the Voter Fraud Myth
Groups Taking Action:
No on 1, Save Maine Absentee Voting, League of Women Voters ME, AFL-CIO, Disability Rights ME
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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