Here's your 2021 League recap. As we navigate the ongoing global pandemic and continue to fight for D.C. statehood and major national voting rights bills, there's still so much to celebrate here in Maine. We're grateful to our local Leagues and League community for your continued support.
A Successful Legislative Session
In 2021, we had one of our most successful legislative sessions ever. Almost all of our priority bills were signed into law, including Online Voter Registration, ongoing absentee voting, and a corporate contribution ban, which will prohibit corporations from donating to campaigns, leadership PACs, and caucus PACs.
Working Together
Democracy Maine was the founding convener of Mainers for Modern Elections and remains a leader within that coalition. Mainers for Modern Elections is committed to ensuring that our right to vote freely and securely transcends politics and partisanship. We advocate for safe, secure, modern elections. Our coalition is committed to securing equitable access to the ballot for every eligible Maine voter.
Announcing the New Director for Maine Students Vote
A few months ago, Maine Students Vote (MSV) joined Democracy Maine as our third partner organization. We're pleased to introduce the new director of MSV, Allyson Gardner, who joins the team with a background in community organizing and working with nonprofits whose missions include growing youth leadership, fighting for equitable financial access, and demanding food justice.
Understanding Dawnland Today
The League hosted a four-part series on the indigenous Wabanaki tribes, in order to promote a better understanding of the past and present communities. We dove into difficult truths about the colonization of Maine and how understanding Dawnland today can help us become better allies of the Wabanaki tribes.
Getting Back to Our Roots: Civil Disobedience
For the last 100 years, the League has fought for the rights of disenfranchised voters. It's in our blood. In 2021, that hasn't changed. The national League has fought and protested for major voting rights reform, such as the For the People Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, even to the point of facing arrest. We're proud to be members of a national organization that will demonstrate in mass protests for this vital legislation.
Also check out the Democracy Forum episode:
Protest: Good Citizenship at Work? Listen here.
Looking Ahead to 2022: Let's Come Together for a Day of Remembrance and Action
It’s been nearly one year since armed right-wing militants attacked the U.S. Capitol and tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. We must not forget what happened — and we must demand action from our leaders to prevent another attack on our democracy.
So this January 6, exactly one year later, Americans across race, place, party, and background are holding candlelight vigils to say: In America, the voters decide the outcome of elections. The promise of democracy is not a partisan issue but a calling that unites us as Americans.
We the People: January 6 Day of Remembrance and Action
January 6, 2022 // 5:30 – 6:15 PM
Monument Square (456 Congress St, Portland, ME)