 There is bipartisan support for voter I.D.
Augusta Democrats should listen to their constituents and support voter I.D.
This is Representative Josh Morris of Turner with the Weekly Republican Address.
Too often there is a partisan divide on many important issues being discussed in the public arena.
That includes the rules around elections and voting.
There is one area that has a strong consensus… requiring that all voters have a government issued photo identification in order to vote.
According to a Pew Research Center study, 81% of Americans support voter I.D. and a mere 18% oppose it. That support includes nearly 70% support from Democrats.
Maine Republicans have repeatedly offered legislation to require voter I.D.
Each time, Augusta Democrats reject those proposals.
Their opposition is puzzling, since identification cards can be provided by the government to the tiny number of people who do not have identification.
A form of identification is required for routine, day-to-day activities like:
- Cashing a check or opening a bank account
- Applying for a job or unemployment
- Applying for social security or Medicare
- Driving, buying or renting a car
- Getting on an airplane
- Purchasing alcohol or cigarettes
- Picking up a prescription
- Buying a cell phone
Listeners can no doubt name several more routine transactions that require identification.
In light of these facts of life, it is reasonable and responsible to require a form of government identification prior to voting.
The importance of this simple requirement was highlighted earlier this week when Maine news organizations reported claims by a whistleblower that multiple noncitizens have illegally voted in Maine elections since at least 2016.
Until there is an investigation, there is no way to verify exactly what is happening and to what extent.
This potential problem is not unique to Maine.
The State of Texas recently removed 6,500 non-citizens from their voting list.
Virginia removed over 6,300 self-identified noncitizens from that state’s voter rolls.
House Republicans have called for the Secretary of State and Attorney General to investigate recent claims.
Those officials can cross check the federal Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program with Maine State voter rolls.
The way our elections are conducted should be above and beyond reproach.
Another means of enhancing confidence in our elections is by requiring voter I.D.
That will help ensure that only Maine citizens are voting in our elections.
House Republicans encourage you to ask your local legislators if they will support voter I.D. during the next legislative session.
This has been Representative Josh Morris with the Weekly Republican Radio Address.
I’d like to thank you for listening, subscribing, sharing and following us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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Representative Josh Morris
of Turner is currently serving his third term representing House District 91, which includes the towns of Leeds, Turner, and Wayne. He serves as the Ranking Member on the 131st Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services. This is his third term on that committee. He also serves on the 131st Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Housing.
Rep. Morris graduated from Leavitt Area High School and the University of Southern Maine, where he earned a degree in Political Science. Mr. Morris is a realtor in his hometown of Turner. He is a member of the Maine Association of Realtors and the Nezinscot Lodge in Turner.
In his spare time, Josh enjoys playing basketball, reading, and walking his dog.
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