An Aug. 6 letter to the editor (“Voter ID is an election integrity issue for Maine“), supporting the Maine voter ID referendum, shocked me into writing a rebuttal.

The letter alleged the following:

• The referendum “is not a partisan issue.” False. Most Republicans are for it, most Democrats against it.
• “It’s an election integrity issue.” False. Voter fraud in Maine is not an issue.
• “It’s common sense.” False, unless you think it’s common sense to deny senior citizens the option of automatically receiving absentee ballots for every election and prohibit family members from returning absentee ballots to drop boxes.

It’s telling that the letter had no mention of those effects the referendum would have on senior citizens. In fact, anyone with common sense would be strongly against this effort to disenfranchise our seniors and those who are disabled from having the right to vote. And let’s not forget: this referendum would also repeal prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes and limit the number of drop boxes — all items overlooked by the letter.

It’s clear this referendum is meant to undermine Maine’s senior and disabled citizens’ right to vote, not to “enhance” it.

George Martin
Mt. Vernon