On Nov. 8, voters will be asked to vote on an issue of grave importance to the citizens of Maine. Question 1 asks voters if they want to reject the repeal of Election Day voter registration.

For the past 40 years, Mainers have been able to register and vote on Election Day — all in one trip. This helps young people, those with limited mobility, and those who have limited access to transportation. Because of Election Day voter registration, Maine has one of the highest voter-participation rates in the country.

This law has been changed so that now if someone needs to register to vote they will have to make two trips to city hall or the town office where they live — one trip to register to vote at least two days before the election, and then another trip to vote.

That will discourage voter participation.

We should be encouraging voter participation at every opportunity, not making it more difficult for our citizens to register or vote.

Maine has a long tradition of citizen participation in state and local government, from town meetings to community activism. That tradition should be kept alive, encouraged, and citizens allowed to register and vote on Election Day.

The new law is not needed. It should be rejected because it could discourage qualified Maine citizens from exercising their right to vote.

I will vote yes on Question 1 to keep Election Day voter registration in Maine.

Mary Roussel, Auburn