**Maine and Texas Join Nationwide Push for Stricter Voter ID Laws Amid Election Measures**
*PORTLAND, Maine (AP)* — Maine and Texas have become the latest states to join a nationwide Republican effort aimed at enacting stricter voter ID laws and highlighting the rare occurrence of noncitizen voting. Voters in both states are set to decide on related ballot measures this Tuesday.
Supporters of these initiatives argue that the measures will help safeguard elections and ensure that only eligible voters participate. Opponents, however, contend that these efforts are designed to make voting more difficult or address issues that are not significant problems.
### Texas Proposal: Constitutional Amendment on Noncitizen Voting
In Texas, where Republicans control the state government, the proposal is relatively straightforward. It seeks to amend the Texas Constitution by explicitly adding “persons who are not citizens of the United States” to the list of individuals prohibited from participating in elections.
Although Texas voters already must attest to their citizenship status when registering to vote, the amendment would enshrine the prohibition of noncitizen voting into the state constitution, making future changes more difficult. Between 2018 and 2024, 14 other states have passed similar citizenship amendments with ease, and more are anticipated in the coming year.
Republicans in Texas have also pushed for legislation requiring voters to present documented proof of citizenship. However, a state Senate bill on this issue failed to pass before lawmakers adjourned in June.
Opponents argue that the amendment is unnecessary since noncitizen voting in Texas is already illegal, rare, and punishable by felony charges, including prison time and possible deportation. While a few cities across the United States allow noncitizens to vote in some local elections, none of these are located in Texas.
### Maine Proposal: Comprehensive Voter ID and Voting System Changes
Maine’s ballot measure goes beyond just requiring a photo ID to vote. Backed by Republicans, the initiative also proposes several changes to the state’s absentee voting system:
– Limiting the use of ballot drop boxes to just one per municipality, despite growing popularity of mail voting.
– Eliminating two days of in-person absentee voting.
– Ending ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities.
Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, has spoken out against the voter ID initiative, which is a key component of Question 1 on the ballot. She views the measure less as an effort to secure elections and more as an attack on voting rights.
Proponents maintain that the proposal is necessary to ensure that only legal votes are counted.
### Context and Ongoing Investigations
Voters will make these decisions amid increased national attention on voting restrictions, especially as former President Donald Trump and Republican leaders continue to call for measures like requiring proof of citizenship.
In Maine, the ballot initiative comes at a time when state authorities are investigating an incident involving dozens of unmarked ballots intended for this year’s election, which were reportedly found inside an Amazon order placed by a woman. The Secretary of State’s law enforcement division is conducting the investigation with assistance from the FBI and other state agencies, according to Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.
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As these measures reach the ballots, voters in Maine and Texas will have the opportunity to weigh in on the balance between election security and voting access—a debate playing out nationwide.
https://ktar.com/national-news/maine-and-texas-consider-republican-backed-election-proposals-on-voter-id-noncitizen-voting/5770090/