To the editor:
You article on the voter ID laws currently pushed by Republicans (Wed. Oct. 9) deserves front page coverage. It is an appalling attack on our democracy, and a solution in search of a problem, since it has been estimated that almost nobody who is unqualified to vote (non-citizens) voted illegally in the last election.
It will suppress votes and discourage elderly voters like myself, and the disabled, who cannot vote in-person and rely on absentee ballots. Demanding birth certificates or passports will harm those who have never had a passport (mostly low income people) and incredibly, women whose birth certificate name may not be their married name. Then there are trans people, who have changed their names. In short, it will create chaos, in the end harming Republicans as well as Democrats.
As your article points out, “nearly half of Maine voters voted absentee in the 2024 election.” Fair minded Americans of either party should vote “No!” against voter ID laws.
Sincerely,
Susan Jhirad
Professor Emerita, North Shore Community College, former Dept. Chair
Peabody resident
