I urge Mainers to Vote No on Referendum Question 1.  Please say “NO” to this voter suppression effort. But don’t just take it from me. Chris Potholm — an expert on Maine politics and former campaign manager — condemns the modern assault on voting rights in his book, How Maine Decides: An Insider’s Guide to How Ballot Measures Are Won and Lost:  

“In 40 years in Maine politics, with all types of polítical groups, I can't ever remember anyone talking about suppressing the opponent's turnout. That line of thinking today is most antidemocratic and very corrosive to the body politic. It's a shame, and those currently advocating it should be ashamed.” 

Maine has one of the highest voter turnouts in the country. Let’s keep it that way! Restricting voting rights—by limiting housebound seniors’ and disabled Mainers’ access to absentee ballots—is beneath us. 

Livka Farrell lives in Rockland