Petition to allow non-citizen voting rights gets under way
Organizers need about 4,500 signatures by July 14, but have grass-roots support, they say.
By Tom Bell tbell@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
PORTLAND - A group of residents took out petitions Monday aimed at giving non-citizens the right to vote in city elections. The group needs about 4,500 signatures to force a referendum on the Nov. 2 ballot. Its leaders plan to collect 5,000.
Will Everitt watches as Jenna Vendil signs an affidavit Monday to initiate a peition drive looking to give non-citizens the right to vote in city elections. Behind them are two other members of the committee initiating the petition, Mohammed Dini, left, and Alfred Jacob.
Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer
"We have only 4,999 to go," said Michael Brennan after signing his name to the top of a petition after he and other organizers left the City Clerk's office at City Hall.
The group must collect the signatures by July 14. The number that's required equals 20 percent of Portland's number of voters in the last gubernatorial election.
It's a daunting task, say some who have experience leading petition campaigns. Yet this effort, they say, has two big factors in its favor.
First, the League of Young Voters, one the most effective political groups in the city, is leading the effort. Moreover, the primary election on June 8 gives petitioners a rich opportunity for gathering signatures.
Given the campaign's advantages, it's likely that the question will make it to the ballot, said Alan Caron, who in 1991 helped collect enough signatures statewide to force a referendum that stopped a Maine Turnpike widening plan.
He said the June 8 primary is key. "You've got a good grass-roots network and voters coming together all on one day."
Signature gatherers will have to go door-to-door and be visible at public places and events, said Ted O'Meara, who has done consulting for several statewide referendum campaigns, including successful efforts to establish term limits and overturn the beverage tax.
"You need a well-organized group behind it and people who are committed," he said. "It all comes down to a function of numbers. Do you have 100 people willing to spend a whole Saturday fanning out over the city collecting signatures?"
He said there is no better place for gathering signatures than outside a polling place.
"You know everybody is registered to vote. They are all from the city. They're all in a civic frame of mind. That's a big help," he said.
Petition leaders plan to make June 8 the focus of the effort. Will Everitt, state director of the League of Young Voters, said petitioners plan to get 1,000 to 1,500 signatures before June 8.
On the day of the primaries, the goal is 2,500 signatures, which would leave the group five weeks to get the rest.
Everitt said signature gatherers will be at post offices, churches and public events such as the Old Port Festival in June. People will also go door-to-door.
He said 30 people have agreed to circulate petitions. The group won't start gathering signatures before its leaders meet on Wednesday to devise a plan for covering the city.
On March 11, the city's Charter Commission voted 7-5 against a proposal to give voting rights to non-citizens. One issue was whether giving non-citizens voting rights could withstand a legal challenge.
Portland would be the first municipality in Maine to grant voting rights to resident aliens. The charter change would require non-citizens to prove they are legal residents to get their names on the city's voting rolls. They could not vote in state or federal elections.
Last year, state Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, submitted a bill to allow non-citizens to vote statewide. It was defeated in the House 186-11.
Alfond said the petition effort in Portland will succeed because the League of Young Voters has many committed volunteers, including students at the University of Southern Maine.
Although non-citizens are not allowed to circulate petitions, many immigrants who have become citizens will be helping, Alfond said.
Brennan said the League of Young Voters can deliver.
"They have the people power and the organizational structure to make it work."
Staff Writer Tom Bell can be contacted at 791-6369 or at: tbell@pressherald.com
Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form
Most...
Copyright ©2010 MaineToday Media, Inc.
30 COMMENTS
Rocky4 said...
These people need an arse kicking!!
March 23, 2010 at 4:55 AM Report abuse
DasBoot said...
When they get that list of signatures, those are the people that need to be deported along with the non-citizens that don't want to pay their dues like the millions before them.
March 23, 2010 at 5:35 AM Report abuse
EllenW said...
They can get a significant portion of the signatures they need at USM. Just have to make sure the students are registered to vote in Portland.
March 23, 2010 at 5:42 AM Report abuse
UofA said...
If these nuts actually are successful in this , would you please keep it in Portland? Next will be Lewiston/Auburn and they don't need any more problems.
March 23, 2010 at 6:00 AM Report abuse
exPortland said...
Hey, personally I can't afford to live in Portland but I pay a wad in r.e. taxes. Can I vote too? I know I'm not cool or exotic or anything, but fair's fair!
March 23, 2010 at 7:05 AM Report abuse
Justincase said...
Instead of signing a petition about voting, how about applying for a job and learning some Engrish?
March 23, 2010 at 7:32 AM Report abuse
SL said...
You want to vote.... Take the test and become a citizen of this country. You want to vote... Understand how it is a RIGHT in the country that you are in if and only if you are a citizen of the country not just where you live. This is dumb and would never make it through a legal challenge.
March 23, 2010 at 7:51 AM Report abuse
homeboy said...
The voters of Portland MUST make sure that Jenna Vendil is never elected to ANYTHING again! Sort of ironic that she is here because her parents became citizens, yet she wants non-citizens to be allowed to vote! Blame Senator Justin Alfond (All- Fun) for this mess---he funded the League of Young Voters to get himself elected, then slid her, his employee, into the School Board spot. Democracy at it's worst!
March 23, 2010 at 7:53 AM Report abuse
root66 said...
This is great where do i sign the petition?
March 23, 2010 at 8:04 AM Report abuse
Ladydiodes2 said...
What part of "Illegal" don't they understand??? These people are here illegally and they want rights. Then go back to your home country as you have rights there but not in my country. This is absurd, to think that they have a right here, plus they want their customs and language forced on us, I think not. Send these idiots home and the judges who pander to these idiots.
March 23, 2010 at 8:19 AM Report abuse
heyjoe said...
route66...Try the Cumberland County Jail for starters....
March 23, 2010 at 8:22 AM Report abuse
my-way said...
The petition gatherers were seen on cumberland Ave waiving down every Ford Minivan. Each van had 12 signers.
March 23, 2010 at 8:33 AM Report abuse
Dan said...
Non-citizens voting? Over my dead body. Deport any citizens who sign the petition.
March 23, 2010 at 8:35 AM Report abuse
eWFyZGJpcmQ%3D said...
how stupid can they get??????
March 23, 2010 at 8:47 AM Report abuse
my-way said...
I have had enough. Really. It is time we take back this City. Enough of the feel gooders spending money we don't have, raising property taxes, cutting programs from schools etc. Portland used to be a nice place to live and raise a family. Let's vote these leftists out of office in Portland.
March 23, 2010 at 8:57 AM Report abuse
Portlander20 said...
My question is, if non-citizens are given the right to vote in Portland, who is going to pay for the ballots to be printed in 100 different languages, who is going to pay for interpreters for the non-citizens who don't speak english and can't read? Portland is already drowning in debt - do we need more expense on the taxpayers?????
March 23, 2010 at 9:10 AM Report abuse
ModerateOne said...
Lady, ever think about taking a reading comprehension course? Or better yet, actually take the time to use intelligence over emotion. Nobody has suggested letting illegals vote. Maybe we should go back to literacy tests.
March 23, 2010 at 9:13 AM Report abuse
jjp904 said...
The news media will do anything to sell papers. This situation is not worthy of any publicity and all it does is to further their lame brain ideas. As for the people working on getting signatures---Maybe they should direct their energy to finding a job.
March 23, 2010 at 9:26 AM Report abuse
ell01 said...
First of all, this is aproposal to allow legal residents,who are NOT citizens, to vote. Not illegals. That clarified, this is wrong. We already support these people and give them benefits they don't earn; provide them with interpreters, give them homes, jobs and cars. Tne average Joe who works all his life and gets laid off, then takes a considerably lower paying job does not qualify for much of anything, but he does have the right to vote. If we give that right to everyone, what is it that would make being a US citizen a privilege? And why would any aliens want to become citizens?
March 23, 2010 at 9:27 AM Report abuse
RCK said...
non-citizen by the title says it all. they are guests of our nation, they have to adapt our laws and have no right to change our traditions.
March 23, 2010 at 9:37 AM Report abuse
notspot said...
"This is absurd, to think that they have a right here, plus they want their customs and language forced on us, I think not." Since you be a summer folk...Know that we think of you the same way.
March 23, 2010 at 9:58 AM Report abuse
james48 said...
What part about non citizen doesn't the League of Young Voters understand? One who is not a citizen does not, and should not have the franchise to vote. If Alfond and Vendil need a reality check, have them live in another country and see if their touchy-feely ideas concerning voting fly.
March 23, 2010 at 10:43 AM Report abuse
Hipupchuck said...
Does that mean China can vote in our elections absentee? They own all our debt they might as well run the place.
March 23, 2010 at 11:18 AM Report abuse
outdoorsnut said...
NON citizens should NOT have ANY rights!!!
March 23, 2010 at 11:27 AM Report abuse
Mahogany said...
No way! They don't want to become citizens because they would lose refugee status and thus the benefits of that status. Becoming a citizen means you have to take care of yourself. "it's too cumbersome" is not an excuse. You can't have it both ways. I agree with others that those who sign the petition should be sent away along with them. Enough is enough!
March 23, 2010 at 11:52 AM Report abuse
homeboy said...
Find out who is sending the money to the League of Young Voters and cut it off!
March 23, 2010 at 12:18 PM Report abuse
SL said...
Do you have to be a legal resident of Portland or a registered voter to sign the petition?
March 23, 2010 at 12:36 PM Report abuse
LordNelson said...
The President and his aunt will soon make all these folks "citizens" anyway? So all this fuss is about nothing. Our country has been given away by those whom some of you have elected. APPLY SOME TERM LIMITS THE GOOD OLD FASHIONED WAY COME NOVERMBER!
March 23, 2010 at 12:42 PM Report abuse
Eiron said...
What a colossal waste of time! It is against Maine law for a non-citizen to vote, even in a municipal election! Do these "activists" have a clue? Who is paying their bills? Title 21-A: ELECTIONS Chapter 3: VOTER REGISTRATION Subchapter 2: VOTER ELIGIBILITY §111. General qualifications A person who meets the following requirements may vote in any election in a municipality, including a biennial municipal caucus held pursuant to section 311. [2005, c. 387, §1 (AMD).] 1. Citizenship. The person must be a citizen of the United States. (There are other requirements but I'll not waste time and space listing them)
March 23, 2010 at 4:30 PM Report abuse
LordNelson said...
Eiron...this crowd cares little to be restrained by any law. They are doing great things on bhalf of us all and therefore are unbound by mere mortal means. We are all too dumb to realize this is all for our own good and will actually lead to more of everything for everyone and it will all be free!
March 23, 2010 at 7:19 PM Report abuse