This newsletter is a long one, with the Legislature springing into more action. Legislators are swamped with work, and we are, too. Grab more coffee, and then let's dive into it.
Here are your weekly updates 👇
The time has finally come for one of our priority bills. National Popular Vote has left the revisor’s office and been given its official LD number: LD 1578. We're excited to see this bill receive bipartisan support, with Rep. Arthur Bell as the lead sponsor. Its public hearing hasn't been scheduled yet, but stay tuned.
🌟 New! LD 1578 — National Popular Vote: This bill would add Maine to the NPV Interstate Compact. NPV becomes effective when states representing 270 Electoral College votes sign on to the agreement. We support this one, and here's how you can support our efforts:
- Contact your legislator: Ask them to support NPV. It only takes a few seconds. If you have more time, add your own perspective. It makes all the difference.
- Write a Letter to the Editor with us: Hang out with us, either in-person or via Zoom, and draft your own LTE in support of NPV. We'll walk you through the steps and offer support. We're hosting this writing workshop with our friends from the Maine Women's Lobby.
Public hearing in the VLA // Wednesday, April 12 // 1:15 PM
- 🌟 New! LD 1416 — Raising the number of signatures for ballot initiatives: This proposed constitutional amendment would dramatically increase the number of signatures required for a ballot initiative, making it much harder for initiatives to qualify. We oppose this one.
Work session in the VLA // Wednesday, April 12 // 2:45 PM
- LD 1255 — Improving the Security of Voting Places: This bill would restrict dangerous weapons at polling places, except when carried by on-duty police or locked in motor vehicles. We support this one.
Work session in the VLA // Thursday, April 13 // 1:00 PM
- LD 577 — Town Websites to Host More Election Info: This bill would provide state support through the office of the Secretary of State for towns to disseminate local election information online. We support this one. We'll see how things play out during its work session.
Report Now Available:
State of Democracy in Maine
We’re living through a tumultuous time in American politics. While threats to democracy continue to loom on the horizon, we in Maine continue to make progress. Our new report examines and assesses the state and health of democracy in Maine along several dimensions using indicators based on publicly-available data, published reports, and research conducted by Democracy Maine. Learn more here.
Coming Soon:
Voting Age Study
At our last League Convention in 2021, delegates voted to take on a study in order to determine if we could develop a consensus on lowering the voting age to 16. Now, two years later, that study has been researched, written, and prepared for League members by the Voting Age Study Committee. The study guide launches soon, and local Leagues will meet to read and discuss the materials. Together as an organization, we'll decide what position to take: do we support or oppose lowering the voting age? Learn more about the process here.