Maine Voices Say No to Extra Voting Hurdles

Maine Voters Reject Harder Voting Rules; Senators Push Federal Bill

In November 2025, Mainers voted against a plan that would have made it harder to cast ballots. The result showed they value fair and open elections.

Yet Senator Susan Collins, who has lived in the state, backs a federal bill called the SAVE Act. This law would force people to show original U.S. citizenship papers—such as a passport, birth certificate or naturalization card—when registering for federal votes. Driver’s licenses, military IDs and tribal cards would not count.

The bill has no evidence that non‑citizens are voting in large numbers, and Maine’s elections have always been trusted. Adding this requirement would create extra work for many voters. Those without passports, or those who have to replace lost birth certificates—especially in rural areas—would face time and money costs. Married women who changed names, people with disabilities or older voters might also struggle to get the right documents in person.

Senator Collins said that checking IDs at the polls would be a simple improvement, likening it to ID checks for air travel or buying alcohol. But those activities are not protected by the Constitution, unlike voting. The bill’s claim to protect elections is misleading, especially when a president has repeatedly denied evidence of widespread fraud.

The Save Act appears to be an over‑reactive measure that Mainers have just rejected. It is not about politics; it is about listening to people’s needs. As lawmakers debate voting laws, the state’s representatives should remember that democracy thrives when citizens’ voices are heard.