Open Letter to Susan Collins- For the People Act

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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


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Mainers for Accountable Leadership is a group of Mainers who value equality, justice, honesty, acceptance, and diversity. As Mainers, we believe that our U.S. Senators and our U.S. Congressional Representatives need to prioritize the voices of Mainers above politics and party allegiance. We will use the power of our collective voices to pressure our elected officials to support our values and to stand in opposition to those in Washington working to take away rights and protections for vulnerable communities, relegate our planet to irreparable harm, and consolidate more wealth for themselves and the ultrarich.

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