Republicans in Maine are attempting to do what Republican legislators across the country have done: pass bills that would make it harder to vote, ostensibly to prevent fraud and restore public confidence in elections (“Lawmakers consider bill requiring Maine voters to show photo ID at polls,” Feb. 6).

Sen. Matt Pouliot, the author of the bill, cited polling that showed only 36% of Americans have confidence in the election system. Pouliot uses that as justification for his proposed bill (although he indicated that he personally believes Maine elections are fair). The problem with the convoluted logic behind these election reform bills is that the only reason so many Americans have diminished confidence in our elections is that Republicans have been repeatedly and inaccurately describing them as rife with fraud and cheating.

Despite the most closely studied voting in my lifetime, our last several elections have proven to be exceptionally fair, with scant evidence of any fraud or misconduct. Passing new legislation (that will make it harder for Democratic-leaning voters of color to cast a ballot) is gross overreach. What if Republicans instead informed their constituents, in no uncertain terms, that our elections are indeed fair, and that the doubts sown about them in the past were unfounded?

No need for new laws, just for the truth.

Doug Zlatin
Falmouth

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