Maine Enacts Online Voter Registration Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats in Maine have enacted a new law that will allow residents to register to vote online for the first time in 2023. The change was proposed by Democrats in the state Legislature, where they hold a majority, and signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills (D) last week. The law, Legislative Document 1126, empowers the Maine secretary of state to develop an online voter registration system, in what Democrats in the state Legislature called a move to “modernize our voter registration system while prioritizing accessibility and security.”
Democrats in the state are considering a series of other bills that would make pandemic-era voting reforms permanent going forward. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) said of the efforts that “We’ve heard from Maine voters and local election officials that many of the changes enacted in 2020 to protect health, safety, and access to the ballot were beneficial, and we’re excited to continue them in future elections.” These proposals include expanding the use of ballot drop boxes and allowing student IDs as eligible identification when registering to vote.