At Maine Audubon, advocacy is central to the work we do. I often liken it to one of the legs on a three-legged stool, with education and conservation as the other legs that together support our mission to connect people with wildlife and habitat. Part of our advocacy work involves lobbying and engaging with lawmakers, but an equally important part involves activating our membership, getting you to stand up for Maine’s wildlife and habitat. By taking part in meetings, writing letters to the editor, signing petitions, and engaging with decision-makers, you are sending a message that wildlife matters, habitat must be protected, climate goals must be met. Maine Audubon continues to be a key influencer for Maine’s environment thanks to your continued support. That’s why we’re going to be repeating this message over and over again in these coming weeks: no election has ever been more important than this coming one, and every single vote matters.
Maine Audubon wants to help ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot this November. The ongoing pandemic has complicated the normal process of voting, so planning ahead is critical to ensure your participation in this essential aspect of our democracy.
If you are worried about going to the polls in person, or will not be at your home address on Election Day, one way to ensure that your vote counts is to request an absentee ballot. Be sure you do that early and drop your ballot in the mail or in a secure local ballot box in plenty of time to be counted. The official deadline to request absentee ballots in Maine is October 29, but don’t wait!
Here are some tools you can use to prepare for the upcoming election, including links to register to vote and request an absentee ballot, plus answers to frequently asked questions about the process.
The State of Maine’s Elections and Voting website has a number of important resources, including:
An Elections FAQ document;
Voter Registration guide;
Local voting information;
Voter Registration guide;
Information on Absentee Voting in Maine, with links to the online Maine Absentee Ballot Request form (note the Oct. 29 deadline); and more
The ACLU Maine Know Your Voting Rights webpage is an essential resource for those who are unsure about whether they can vote, and has Maine voting guides in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic.
Disability Rights Maine’s Voting Access website has information for those with disabilities in gaining access to polling places, registering to vote, and casting a ballot.
Before you vote, we encourage you to review each candidate’s stands on environmental issues such as energy conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, and support for public lands. For national candidates, you can find information on each candidate’s website, and for state legislators, you can explore their voting records and more at Maine Conservation Voters.
We hope that you find this information useful, and encourage you to share these resources as widely as possible so that everyone who is eligible takes part in November’s election in a safe and timely fashion.
