Maine House Speaker’s Bill Would Implement Automatic Voter Registration

Most Maine adults could be automatically registered to vote beginning in 2022 if the Legislature passes a new bill this session, sponsored by Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon of Freeport. The proposal would add Maine to the list of more than a dozen states that have adopted some form of automatic voter registration, a method that supporters say increases voter turnout and political participation. In most states, including Maine, eligible voters who go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a license are asked if they would like to register to vote at the same time. Gideon’s measure — loosely modeled after an Oregon law implemented three years ago — would register them automatically. “Let’s say it’s time for you to go get a new driver’s license,” Gideon said.