Background
The Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs will hold a Public Hearing on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM at
📍 State House, Room 437, Augusta, to discuss LD's 38 "An Act Requiring Photographic Identification for Voting," 397 "An Act to Require a Voter to Show Photographic Identification," 1149 "An Act to Require an Individual to Present Photographic Identification for the Purpose of Voting," 1437 "RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Specify the Qualifications of Electors in State and Local Elections," and 1446 "RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Lower the Voting Age to 16 Years of Age."
If you want to read LD 38, click here: https://legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?snum=132&paper=SP0061&PID=1456
If you want to read LD 397, click here: https://legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?snum=132&paper=HP0251&PID=1456
If you want to read LD 1149, click here: https://legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?snum=132&paper=IB0001&PID=1456
If you want to read LD 1437, click here: https://legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?snum=132&paper=HP0946&PID=1456
If you want to read LD 1446, click here: https://legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?snum=132&paper=SP0587&PID=1456
In lieu of personally testifying on these bills, you may testify via Zoom, or by online testimony using the following link: https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/. Do this prior to the public hearing.
See below for EVERYTHING you're going to need to get this done, including testimony!
🔹 Steps to submit testimony online:
1️⃣ Click: "Public Hearing".
2️⃣ Choose a committee: "Veterans and Legal Affairs" - using the drop-down menu.
3️⃣ Choose date: May 2, 2025, 11:00 AM - using the drop-down menu.
4️⃣ Click: LD 38 (these bills are being heard at the same time, you only need to submit once, but feel free to submit to each one).
5️⃣ Enter your testimony in the box (or click the checkbox if you want to testify via Zoom).
6️⃣ Complete your contact information.
7️⃣ Click: "I'm not a robot"
8️⃣ Click: "Submit/Register".
You can find a video tutorial on 'Submitting Testimony in Maine" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYnhN4ZlpoQ
Action Time-Window
⚠️ Please consider taking action by April 30, 2025
Template
The below is a community member's testimony. Feel free to use it, something of your own (recommended), or something as simple as as "I support LDs 38, 397, 1149, and 1437, and "they ought to pass." I oppose LD 1446 and it "ought not to pass."" To get other wording ideas, as online testimony is submitted for this bill, you can see it here: https://legislature.maine.gov/ctl/VLA/05-02-2025?panel=0&time=0&sortdir=0&sortby=2 after clicking on the bill number.
I support LD 38, LD 397, LD 1149, and LD 1437. I strongly oppose LD 1446.
LD 38, 397, 1149: These bills require presenting proof of identity in the form of an approved photo ID when voting in person or by absentee ballot. As it should be.
LD 1437 proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to specify that only a person who is a citizen of the United States may vote in a state, county or municipal or other local election. As it should be.
The first four bills are common sense legislation. We are required to present a photo ID for so many other reasons. Election/voter integrity has been suspect in past elections. Why would any government/municipality be afraid of transparency by requiring a photo ID to verify voter eligibility?
These bills, once enacted into law, would help to restore legally registered voters’ faith in the election system.
LD 1446: Children have no business voting. This is absurd legislation.
I support LD 38, LD 397, LD 1149, LD 1437, and they “ought to pass.”
I strongly oppose LD 1446 and it “ought not to pass.”
Credit for the above goes to our community member Danny (@DannyEmerson61) from the South Berwick Republican Committee (@BerwickSouth).
Disclaimer
A community member has shared this personal template for those who wish to express their views on the bill(s) mentioned above. This template is not an official PTP position, and using it is entirely up to you. Pine Tree Patriots encourages civic participation but does not endorse or support specific actions or policies. Please remember this is an individual initiative.
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