To be honest, I can’t quite figure out what all the fuss is about. When I took high school history — heck, when I took elementary school social studies — we learned that one of the most fundamental rights we hold as Americans is the right to vote. That’s what it means to be a democracy: Everyone has a voice when decisions are made.
A rich man’s voice is no more important than that of a poor man, or a poor woman.
It seems to me as if some people are tying themselves in knots trying to convince the rest of us that there is a problem with the state's voting system. I don’t get that.
Maine’s high voter turnout is something people here seem to do better than almost anywhere else in the country. Why would anyone want to change that?
For 40 years, Maine's system has worked just fine. Months of accusations and investigations have turned up nothing. There is no fire. There is not even any smoke — just the smoke that certain state officials are trying to blow in voters' eyes.
I am a strong supporter of same-day voter registration because I think it is in the best interest of democracy to encourage everyone’s participation. It really is that simple.
I will support Question 1 on Nov. 8.
Colleen Quint, Minot
Report a correction
No one is denied the right to
No one is denied the right to vote without same day voter registration, either. That's nothing more than a democrat gimmick in their hopes of garnering as many illegitimate votes as they possibly can. Absence of same day voter registration thwarts that purpose and the democrats hate it.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.What is the effect?
I will assume most everyone with an opinion on this subject is cirrently registered to vote legally in this state. Count me among those that are registered as well. That being said, how does this issue affect anyone already registered to vote? I don't get the urgency displayed on the subject other than each side plugging their political agendas. I don't care if John Q. Public pre registers or registers on the day of an election. It doesn't affect me at all. I'm more concerned about who and what's on the ballot than the manner in which the population registers. And if you're not registered then get out from behind your keyboard or put your smartphone in your pocket and go register. If you have the time to complain and rant about it then you also have the time to register. And please, save the "it takes the right to vote from voters that haven't registered" argument. That gripe is the biggest load of steaming waste I've heard on the subject.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (6) Disagree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.The numbers...
I'm sure most are aware there are only eight states and the District of Columbia that allow same day voter registration. Two other states, Connecticut and Rhode Island do allow same day registration only for Presidential elections. Then there's North Dakota's quirky standing that doesn't require voter registration at all. Among the states that do not allow it are New York, Massachusetts, California and Vermont. Not exactly the hubs of the conservative mindset. Last November this state elected a conservative individual Governor despite having same day voter registration in place. I don't understand why the left is so up in arms about maintaining same day registration since it didn't help your cause any in 2010. At the same time I don't understand why the right wants to do away with it other than to keep their numbers up in Augusta's chambers. After all, the 2010 elections proved they could win with same day registration in place. And I reject the conservative viewpoint that voter fraud exists within the parameters of the same day registration environment. The way I view it this issue has become a double paradox, if there is such a thing. This issue is a classic example of what happens when hordes of people get too wrapped up in their politics. When that happens the blinders are welded to those folk's mindsets and alternate opinions are denounced and cast aside like a fruit cake at Christmas. I don't get worked up over this issue because it's not worth getting worked up over. I don't believe allowing or prohibiting same day voter registration has much of an effect on the final results. To me, recent elections have proven that.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (6)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.So when you took elementary
So when you took elementary school social studies did you pay attention? If so you would know this country is a representative republic and not a democracy and you would know what the difference is. Also you would know that elections are scheduled months in advance and well publicized so any normal person could plan for it unless you are the average democrat voter in a drug or alcohol induced haze.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (2) Agree (6)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.So she's wrong...
...because you found a technicality and that negates her entire argument. Get a life.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (4) Agree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Look up "Representative democracy"
The United States is considered a complex Representative democracy.
There is no excuse to making it harder to vote, yet this seems to be a common theme since the 2010 elections across the nation.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (6)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.It doesn't make it harder to
It doesn't make it harder to vote; it makes it harder to cheat. Big difference.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1) Disagree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.How?
It doesn't make it harder to cheat, it makes it harder to vote for everyone. And besides, the only way to know if someone cheats is to check if they voted twice. You can theoretically be registered in all places because there is no requirement to un-register.
Nope, the primary goal was to make it harder for young people to register, because young people tend to vote democratic.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond."Nope, the primary goal was
"Nope, the primary goal was to make it harder for young people to register, because young people tend to vote democratic". If your allegation is true, it carries with it the additional truth that young people, I presume we're talking about out of state college students here, have opportunity to vote more than once in different locations. That's what the change in the law is/was attempting to prevent.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Well, it's not doing it
Repeat after me - It is not illegal to be registered to vote in multple places.
However, what's illegal is voting multiple times. The only way your gonna catch that is after the person votes. That's the time to be cautious, not before.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Repeat after me; "I am
Repeat after me; "I am entitled to my opinions and others are entitled to theirs". There, that wasn't so hard was it?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1) Disagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.but when you spout falsehoods
but when you spout falsehoods as your 'opinion' they no longer become 'opinions' they become L-I-E-S!!! Do you FINALLY get it or not?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Truth to you is but a lie
Truth to you is but a lie undiscovered.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.everyone, even you and your
everyone, even you and your clan, have the opportunity to register and vote in different locations, same day registration doesn't change that at all. And since you're the one who keeps coming up with that scenario, perhaps we need the Secretary of State to investigate you and your clan. That would surely explain the mess this state is in now!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.If there was ever any doubt
If there was ever any doubt that you and your herd are spending too much time at the "farm", those last two sentences of yours have pretty well erased all doubt.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1) Disagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.same day registration
You go to the town hall for your car registration, your fishing/hunting license, you make time to do these task, there are never any problems. But when it comes to voting you don't have the means or the time to get there a few weeks early? You can even call your town office and they will mail you a registration card to fill out. You know election day is coming unless your living under a rock so there is no excuse. I work with many homebound elderly and they have no problems registrating or voting.
I have lived in many different states and they all had from 2 weeks to one month proior to election to registrate.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (3) Agree (7)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.would be a valid point,
would be a valid point, unless you register your auto and get your licenses on line. So are you willing to allow people to register to vote on line? Didn't think so.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1) Disagree (7)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Guess what?
Car registrations are effective the same day
Fishing licenses are effective the same day.
And for alot of these voters, this is their first time voting, so yeah, they may not know what they have to do. To you and I, it's old hat, but to someone who is unfamiliar, they can get caught off guard. That doesn't mean you get to strip them of their vote. Everyone getting to have their say in how our government runs is fundamental to how our system should run. And EVERY time someone has tried to limit who votes through technicalities like poll taxes, literacy tests, ect, history has always saw them as in the wrong.
And I honestly don't give a damn what other states do. Dirigo doesn't mean "I'm cool with whatever you guys want". We have had this law in place for 40 years with no issues. Either show me why it's a problem, or knock it off.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1) Disagree (4)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.The problem is deceit. First
The problem is deceit. First the republicans cannot find a 'legitimate' reason for this monstrosity of a bill. First it was because of voter fraud, when none was found then it was election officials needed time to check for legitimacy, but they didn't complain and most didn't bother to check even if you registered six months in advance. Now they're using the pseudo-patriotic theme of 'everyone should be engage and registering in advance isn't a hardship if you're truly patriotic.' It's all bunk. The reason is because in close elections more people who vote democratic register on election day, than republicans, but they don't want to say so. So they rely on their tried and true method, keep telling lies until you hit on one that people might believe.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (8) Agree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Glad to see that Democrats
Glad to see that Democrats aren't prepared and that Republicans register early and are prepared. That's pretty much all your last statement said.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.