As we approach the second anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we're reminded of the resilience of our League community and the good folks like you reading this email. Thank you for all that you do!
State House Goes Mask Free: The mask mandate was lifted at the State House in Augusta. Last summer, there was a contentious debate over mask mandates, leading to minor standoffs and disruptions in Legislative business. Now, it seems that things are getting back to normal — or at least a new "normal." There will be an in-person floor session on Wednesday, March 9. The following week, beginning on March 17, both chambers will resume their regular schedule for Tuesday/Thursday floor sessions.
Check Yes for Clean Elections: When you are filling out your Maine tax forms, you can check a box to designate $3 to the Maine Clean Election Fund. This helps to finance the election campaigns of qualifying Clean Election candidates. The Clean Election check-off is on Line 1 of the Maine Income Tax form. It will NOT increase your tax bill, and it will NOT decrease your refund. Learn more here.
It’s AFA week — that’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs — which means it's going to be busy for the League and the Legislature. We're watching the Supplemental Budget, making sure our budget priorities are included, like Ethics Commission funding, Election Divisions funding, and audits funding. March 9 is also Lobby Day for Tribal Sovereignty, and a number of organizations will be at the State House on behalf of the Wabanaki Alliance and LD 1626 (more details below):
Election Transparency and Audits (LD 1155): This bill passed with a strong bipartisan majority in the first session , but it's currently not included in the Supplemental Budget. We're testifying on Monday (today) to explain why we need this bill to bring true and secure post-election audits to Maine.- Equity in Policy Making (LD 1610): This bill is a critical step toward improving demographic analysis and data sharing in Maine government so that we can create equitable and evidence-based policy. It builds upon LD 2, which passed last year. We testified in support. The bill is expected to get a divided report from the State and Local Government Committee.
Tribal Sovereignty (LD 1626): March 9 is Lobby Day! You can join advocates and the Wabanaki Alliance at the State House in Augusta to lobby for legislation (LDs 1626, 906 & 585) that would help support clean water, economic justice, and equality for the tribes in Maine. Learn more here. 
An Act To Protect Election Integrity (LD 1779): This bill will protect ballots after an election by ensuring they remain in the custody of our trusted election officials. It got a favorable report in the Veterans and Legal Affairs (VLA) Committee and could get a floor vote as early as this week.
Should We Lower the Voting Age to 16?
Last year, a bill (LD 706) to lower the voting age to 16 was proposed in the State Legislature. This bill sparked a youth-led campaign and conversations across Maine. The League of Women Voters was born near the end of the multigenerational struggle for the expansion of voting rights to women.
One hundred years later, it is almost incomprehensible that full participation in our democracy was denied to women for so long. Opponents to suffrage argued on completely unscientific grounds that women were intellectually inferior to men. Fifty years ago, opposition to lowering the national voting age to 18 was based on unproven claims that 18-year-olds were too irresponsible and politically immature to be allowed to vote.
Now there’s an emerging movement, not just in the U.S. but worldwide, to extend the vote to 16-year-olds. As before, opponents argue that 16-year-olds are too young for the responsibilities of voting. Research to back this up is inconclusive.
To gain a clear understanding of this issue, the LWVME Board and members have requested that we complete a League study to explore lowering the voting age to 16 in Maine.
The League is launching its first study committee meeting on Tuesday, March 22 from 6:00-7:00 PM. Email questions or interest to allyson@lwvme.org.