EqualityMaine Urges Supporters to Vote No on Question 1
EqualityMaine Urges Supporters to Vote No on Question 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2025
Portland, Maine – EqualityMaine is urging community members and supporters to vote No on Question 1 this November, a referendum that would effectively dismantle Maine’s absentee voting system and make it harder for LGBTQ+ Mainers to vote.
Question 1 reads: “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?”
EqualityMaine is concerned about the impact this referendum would have on LGBTQ+ people who already face barriers to accessing the ballot. Many older adults and disabled people rely on absentee voting to participate in elections. LGBTQ+ Mainers living rurally or without reliable transportation often can’t get to the polls in person. Transgender voters whose legal ID does not match their current name or gender could be turned away at the polls under stricter voter ID laws.
“If passed, this referendum would add more barriers to the ballot box, especially for older adults, disabled Mainers, Mainers without reliable transportation, and trans people,” said Executive Director Gia Drew. “Everyone deserves the freedom to vote safely and securely in a way that works for them. This measure would strip those valued opportunities away.”
EqualityMaine is part of the Save Maine Absentee Voting coalition, which includes 35 nonprofit organizations from across Maine as well as national partners. Coalition members believe that fair, open, and accessible elections are the cornerstone of our democracy.
“This is a direct attack on everyone’s right to vote,” Drew said. “We urge every eligible LGBTQ+ Mainer and every ally to vote NO on 1 this November.”
Registered Maine voters can request an absentee ballot online now at www.justvoteme.org or by contacting their local municipal office. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Nov. 4, Election Day. Folks can register to vote online up to 21 days before Election Day or register to vote at their polling location on Election Day. Learn more about registration and voting at the State of Maine’s Information about Voting page.
For more info on the campaign to protect absentee voting in Maine, visit https://saveabsentee.me.
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Contact: Jessi Holleran, Communications Manager
Office Phone: (207) 761-3732
Email: jessi@equalitymaine.org
Website: equalitymaine.org