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Five years ago, an accident changed my life. Not due to negligence or anyone's fault, I lost the ability to drive, walk securely or do any of the things I loved to do. But I still care about our democracy, and express this by voting. I am able to do so by requesting an absentee ballot from my city clerk.

Question 1 on the Nov. 4 ballot seeks to severely restrict absentee voting. I couldn't request a ballot by phone or ask someone to return it in a drop box. Town and city clerks wouldn't be able to check their own drop-off boxes -- meaning many might opt out of even having one. Working people would also lose access to absentee voting.

This referendum is bad for Maine people, especially seniors, handicapped people and rural voters.