📰BIDDEFORD | Why I Voted YES on 1, It's About Trust, Not Politics

Opinion: Why I Voted YES on 1, It's About Trust, Not Politics

By Scott Thibeau

November 5, 2025, As a citizen of Biddeford, a local business owner, a Realtor, a Veteran, and the President of the Heart of Biddeford, I recently posted on my personal Facebook page to better understand why the voter ID measure was decisively defeated.

I want to be absolutely clear: the views I express on this topic are solely my own and do not represent the opinions of any organization I own, lead, or am affiliated with.

There was a great deal of discussion surrounding Question 1 leading up to Election Day, and in the days since, I’ve heard from many residents about why they chose to vote “No.” I’d like to share why I personally voted “Yes.”

For me, the issue centers on one fundamental principle: Maine citizens should have confidence in the integrity of our elections and trust that every legal vote counts.

Biddeford voters wait in line to cast their vote on election day

Had Question 1 passed, it would have simply required voters—whether voting absentee, early, or in person—to present a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, passport, state ID, or military ID, consistent with practices already in place in many other states.

Concerns about affordability had been addressed, as the state proposed offering free IDs to individuals unable to pay for one, helping ensure that no eligible voter would be excluded due to financial limitations.

I did have concern that the referendum question was drafted by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who had publicly opposed voter ID prior to its wording being developed. In my view, a neutral, mutually agreed-upon party would have been more appropriate to craft language on a matter of this significance.

Additionally, as I understand it, this was the longest referendum question in Maine history. I believe the length and structure made it difficult to clearly understand the central issue—voter ID requirements—and instead emphasized potential impacts on absentee voting that were not part of the proposal. Messaging such as “Save Absentee Voting” was, in my opinion, misleading, as absentee voting would have remained fully available under the measure.

I believe voter ID strengthens election integrity, supports public confidence, maintains access to absentee voting, and protects the rights of lawful voters. While many states already have similar requirements, Maine has taken a different position. I respect that outcome, but I respectfully disagree with the reasoning behind it.

Regardless of where anyone stood on Question 1, my hope is that all Mainers vote with a full understanding of the facts and proposals before them—beyond headlines, slogans, or partisan framing.

In my view, the ballot question could have been more clearly written. A more straightforward version might have read:

“Do you want to require photographic identification to vote, whether in person or by absentee ballot?”

At the end of the day, informed civic participation is what matters most.

Scott Thibeau

Husband, father, grandfather, veteran, patriot and a son of Mainer.