Dear Senator Collins:
On behalf of the below small businesses and organizations, we write in strong support of S.1, the For the People Act, and urge you to support it. This vital democracy reform package will help affirm the voices of everyday American families and ensure that all voters have equal access to the ballot, no matter who they are, where they live, or what they believe.
Maine has always been a leader in democracy, and our electoral system already reflects many of the values expressed in the For the People Act, but we know that there is more to be done to ensure that our elections are modern, accessible, and fair. This legislation would bring policies that have already benefited Maine voters, such as same-day voter registration and no-excuse absentee voting, to other states. It would ensure that Maine’s strong tradition of democracy continues in the years ahead by strengthening ethics and disclosure laws, increasing transparency, and supporting efforts to modernize our election infrastructure. The For the People Act would also bring resources for online voter registration, funding for ballot tracking, and election security improvements to Maine.
The 2020 election underscored the urgent need for reform of our electoral process. The COVID-19 pandemic required local and state election officials to make changes with limited resources and a short implementation timeline. Across the nation, Americans experienced unprecedented difficulties accessing the ballot and historic levels of dark money spent to drown out the voices of voters. These barriers disproportionately impacted Black, indigenous, and other communities of color in Maine and across the nation. Providing federal support, strengthening ethics laws, and upgrading our state systems to align with best practices in election administration will ensure that our electoral system remains safe and secure well into the future.
Common-sense reforms in the For the People Act are deeply popular across the political spectrum and are already law in many states and localities. We strongly support the bill’s three overarching goals: (1) protecting and strengthening our right to vote, (2) increasing transparency of campaigns and strengthening disclosure laws, and (3) implementing anti-corruption, pro-ethics measures to level the playing field in government.
We have always understood the necessity and importance of these values in Maine, and we know that every voter in the nation deserves an equal share of our democracy. This pro-voter, anti-corruption legislation must be a top priority in the 117th Congress because we know that these reforms are necessary to ensure that the power in our democracy will always belong to “we the people.”
We, the below signatories, therefore urge you to cosponsor and vote for S.1, the For the People Act.
Sincerely,
Lamey-Wellehan
Avesta Housing
Maine AFL-CIO
Arcadia National Bar
It Is Time LLC
Weston’s Farm & Market
Bar Harbor Farm
Community Concepts
Maine Inside Out
The Independent Cafe
Halcyon Yarn
A&C Grocery
Maine Council of Churches
Dobra Tea
The Green Hand Bookshop
Grace-Street Ministry
Beth Israel Congregation, Bath
Consumer Council System of Maine
Mainers for Working Families
Common Cause Maine
Maine & Loire Restaurant
Preble Street
Mainers for Modern Elections
Chill Vacation Rentals
Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine
Maine Conservation Voters
Highfield Farm Christmas Trees
BeauChemin Preservation Farm
Nomads, Inc
Portland Flea-for-All
Something’s Fishy Gift Shop
Portland Trading Company
Juju Maine, LLC
Pigeons Restaurant
Indivisible MDI
Mainers for Humane Immigration
Healing Routes
Rebecca Hoffman Fine Gardening
Maine Affordable Housing Coalition
Mocean Skateboards
Vena’s Fizz House
Women’s March Portland Maine
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
First Parish Portland
Atlantic Leadership Center in Eastport
Body Wise
Maine Small Business Coalition
League of Women Voters of Maine
Parks McKinney Facials & Waxing
Capital Area New Mainers Project
Indivisible Washington County
Mainers for Accountable Leadership
Higgins Balsams North
Maine Parent Federation
Global Village Inc.
Coast City Comics
Zootility Tools
Bangor Indivisible
Meghan Flynn Ceramics
RESIST Central Maine
When Pigs Fly Restaurant
Hammond Heirs
Syntiro
Maine Challenge Productions
Congregation Bet Ha’am
Prospect Harbor United Methodist Church
Harpswell Indivisible
Country Fare Inc.
Franklin United Methodist Community Church
Office of Dr. Sam Bergman
Vinalhaven Land Trust
Tricia Jamiol Photography
Tree Spirits Winery & Distillery
Suit Up Maine
Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network
The Blue Lobster
Top of the Nine
Maine Citizens for Clean Elections
Red Bird Acupuncture
Maine Homestead Project
Onggi Foods
Up With Community
Maine People’s Alliance
Arcana
Community Water Justice
Davey Strategies
Homeless Voices for Justice
Unitarian Universalist Church of Waterville, ME
Willa Hartt LLC
Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence
Maine Equal Justice
A Corked Fork Inc.
Disability Rights Maine
Whaleback Cider
