Dear Editor:

When I voted in Wiscasset this month, I took the opportunity to sign a referendum to require a picture ID when voting in Maine. It was reported that many hundreds of signatures were received from voters in Lincoln County with over 40,163 signatures statewide. It is an issue with broad voter support. In one U.S. poll, 3 of 4 (75%) believe voters should be required to show a voter ID. In this poll, it had the support of 69% of black voters. A March 3 and 6, 2022 Rasmussen poll, found that “90% of Republicans, 59% of Democrats, and 75% of unaffiliated voters, “think requiring a photo ID to vote is a reasonable measure to protect the integrity of elections.”  Voter ID is an almost universal requirement in the world. Of the 47 nations in Europe all 47 now require voter ID. Britain, a holdout, recently changed their laws to prevent fraud.  Thirty-three of the thirty-seven-member group “Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development”, require an ID to vote.  Three of those countries that do not require an ID use an alternate means of identification, leaving a single outlier.

Americans are concerned about election integrity. A June 13, 2024, Rasmussen poll found that, “83% of Republicans, 55% of Democrats, and 58% of unaffiliated voters are at least somewhat concerned that the outcome of this year’s presidential election will be affected by cheating.”

Voter ID would be a good first step in restoring faith in our election process. It is also “the will of the voter” and an almost universal requirement in other countries. I do not understand why politicians in Washington and Maine have chosen to be in opposition of election integrity. How can elected officials remain in office and be in opposition to the will of 75% of the electorate?  Much of the information can be found on a simple search “Rasmussen voter ID” and at the following link – Voter Photo IDs Are the Rule in Europe and Elsewhere | RealClearInvestigations.

Joe Grant

Wiscasset