Maine has done more than most states to make voting easy and accessible for everyone. From protecting same-day voter registration to implementing common-sense reforms like ranked-choice voting, we continue to demonstrate to the rest of the country “the way democracy should be.” As evidence, we have one of the highest rates of voter turnout in the country. That’s a very good thing.

We still have more work to do, however. A simple, but essential, reform to expand access to our political process is the passage of LD 211. This bill would allow independent (or “unenrolled”) voters to cast a ballot in primary elections.

Thirty-eight other states allow voters who are unaffiliated with a political party to participate in primary elections. Surprisingly, we aren’t one of them. Independent voters constitute 35% of all registered voters in Maine – larger than any party. But unless those folks enroll in a party, they are completely cut out of the initial selection process for choosing our representatives to state and federal government.

Primary elections are funded by all the taxpayers of our state. If we are all paying for these elections, we should all have a voice in them.

Newell Augur
Yarmouth