Maine Voters Voted Overwhelmingly No on 1 to Save Absentee Voting
Maine seldom makes the national news – that is unless it’s about the cold winter weather or more recently to feature the popular candidacy of Graham Platner, Democratic candidate who is on track to defeat the seriously unpopular US Senator Susan Collins (R) next year.
But an exception to those exceptions is a report in the November 6, 2025, “Election Wrap” from the Washington, DC based Brookings, a highly-regarded think tank: It goes in part:
“President Donald Trump has proposed changes to election rules he thinks will help Republicans in the coming years in a March 2025 executive order, he mandated that states require mail ballots to be received by election day and proof of citizenship to be shown at registration time……..
“The country got its first voter reaction to some of these proposed changes from the Maine elections this week. On the ballot were several far-reaching reforms designed to restrict access to the vote: requiring voter identification, shortening the period for absentee balloting, eliminating absentee options for senior citizens and the disabled, and limiting the number of ballot drop boxes. Proponents argued these alterations would reduce election fraud…………, while opponents tagged them as voter suppression that would make it more difficult for Democratic-leaning groups to cast ballots.
The results are instructive for how people in the New England state feel about these efforts. Mainers rejected the proposed question 1 changes by 64% to 36%. Along with the 63% victory of a proposition allowing temporary restrictions on dangerous weapons if the individual poses a risk to themselves or others. this election measure was a decisive win for voting access and a striking rebuke of President Trump’s policy on the matter. The strong showing demonstrates that the president’s ideas lack support from the general public and that the electorate wants to maintain the voting status quo.
The Brookings report goes on to say significantly that: “The result is noteworthy because of the involvement of conservative groups tied to the Republican State Leadership Committee, which raised over $500,000 in support of voting restriction measures. The group Save Maine Absentee Voting opposed the proposition and worked with the National Education Association to raise $1.8 million against it.
The outcome may make it easier for Democrats to contest the upcoming Maine Senate election. The Pine Tree State will hold one of the most pivotal 2026 races, involving the seat currently held by Republican Susan Collins. Many are paying attention to it because of its importance for party control of the US Senate. The GOP currently has a three-seat advantage and there is virtually no way Democrats can make inroads without winning in Maine. If enacted, the Maine ballot restrictions likely would have made it more difficult for some people to vote, especially for Democratic-leaning constituents.”
The Brookings report on Maine concludes: “…the Maine tallies demonstrate that a possible political politicl backlash is building against Trump’s policy agenda. People are worried about affordability, access to qualify healthcae and the future of democracy. Taken together, these victories may foretell broader voter oppostion in 2026 and 2028 to President Trump and the Republican party.”
The No on Question one campaign was managed by Portlander David Farmer.
The Brookings Institute is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. Its missionis to conduct in-depth, non partisan research to improve policy and governance at loca, national and global levels.