I typically vote on Election Day, but this year I voted early because I’m signed up to volunteer as a “voter protection” lawyer on Nov. 8 in the bordering battleground state of New Hampshire. I think the job will entail milling around a gymnasium or an Elks hall with a group of cheerful senior citizens, snacking on homemade brownies and making polite conversation as American democracy peacefully happens. Because there’s never been any real voter fraud, nor is there any legitimate reason to believe voter fraud will happen this year. But who knows? Maybe in some sleepy little town in the White Mountain hollows a legal controversy of national proportion will erupt and I’ll be called upon to spring into action and defend the Constitution. That would be exciting.

It certainly was exciting to vote for Hillary Clinton for president of the United States, and regular readers know why I so strongly support her candidacy. Clinton has the experience, intelligence and temperament to be the leader of the free world, and her moral compass has led her on a lifetime path of public service and fighting for justice.

Chellie Pingree is an under-appreciated, reliable workhorse for the First Congressional District, and voting for her was a no-brainer. She’s a steady, seasoned lawmaker and successful businesswoman who miraculously is able to quietly make real gains for Maine and the country as a member of the minority party in Washington. Pingree’s expertise and reputation around food, sustainability and economic issues adds real value to her seat in Congress, and she has helped veterans all over in substantial and meaningful ways.

As to Question 1, the legalization and regulation of marijuana, I surprised myself and voted no. This in spite of my strong support of medical marijuana and innate belief that recreational use should be legal. Alysia Melnick, the political director for the Yes on 1 campaign, won me over in the debates, but then Attorney General Janet Mills, a Democrat, and District Attorney Stephanie Anderson, a Republican, came out opposing the bill and I got spooked. Feeling guilty for not reading the language of the legislation, on top of my lingering questions about how this new industry can be effectively regulated when federal banks refuse to transact business with marijuana businesses, jerked me to a no vote.

More surprising than my vote on Question 1 was my spontaneous rejection of the very heartfelt advice I often give others about voting, and that’s if you don’t comfortably know the candidate or the issue, skip it and leave it blank and vote for what you do know. Look at Brexit, the vote in England to leave the European Union. More than half of the voters supported it in large part only because they were pissed off at the government about immigration and a lagging economy. Many pro-Brexit voters had no idea it would cause a complete transition of power and ex-communication from Europe. I may regret my vote on Question 1.

I also voted no on Question 2, too, even though I support the concept of raising taxes on high-income families to support public education. A big problem I have with Question 2 is Gov. Paul LePage. If the initiative passes, he will sabotage the law that springs from Question 2 because he personally hates teachers unions. I dread the drama and veto of the budget or any other law needed to pass to implement this new tax, plus I do not believe tax policy is properly done by referendum. I also have cautious optimism that a Clinton presidency will bring federal changes to the tax code that will raise money for public education, and the state should follow.

I voted yes on Question 3 because a person on a no-fly list due to suspected terrorism or who beats kids and tortures animals should not be able to buy an assault weapon willy-nilly from Uncle Henry’s list or at the Cumberland County Gun Show. Warnings that a background check is the first step down a slippery slope of big government taking away guns and repealing the Second Amendment is the biggest crock of beans since Y2K.

I voted yes on Question 4, the bill that seeks to raise the minimum wage gradually to $12 an hour in 2020 and, thereafter, roughly tie it to inflation, plus increase wages for restaurant workers. The current minimum wage law is a loophole being used by some companies to exploit employees who have no good alternatives. Taxpayers foot the bill for entitlement programs that low-wage workers need to make ends meet while the companies they work for pay their CEO 350 times what their average worker earns, most of them women. If a large or small business can’t afford to pay a decent wage for a hard day’s work, then the business model is flawed.

I voted yes on Question 5, the so-called ranked-choice voting bill, because the election of Lepage, twice, to the Blaine House was a travesty. His stain on Maine politics will not come out for several washings. In the meantime, Maine is the perfect place to experiment in a safe and thoughtful way with the democracy process to try and make it better. The implementation and technology challenges may cause us to reverse or change course, but that’s a chance I am willing to take.

I voted yes on Question 6, the infrastructure bond. The low interest rates we will pay on the debt coupled with the low gas-tax revenue available without it for roads, bridges, ports, airports, bicycle and pedestrian trails, makes this an easy one. We need to upgrade and maintain our infrastructure to maintain our standing in the world.

To be a volunteer lawyer on Election Day this year is good, and to have the opportunity to vote and express myself is great.

God bless America.

Cynthia Dill is a civil rights lawyer and former state senator. She can be contacted at:

dillesquire@gmail.com

Twitter: dillesquire

Copy the Story Link