09/15/2026
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National Voter Registration Day: A Note From Kate
Today is National Voter Registration Day, and we have one ask for you: Register to vote.
No matter your background, where you have been, or what you have experienced, your voice belongs in our democracy. I know because, for years, I believed mine didn’t.
My first interaction with ME-RAP happened during the last presidential election. I saw a Facebook post explaining that people with felony convictions can vote in Maine. I stopped scrolling because I have a felony conviction, and I had always believed that meant I had lost my right to vote. I messaged ME-RAP, and Tess responded. I explained that my conviction happened in another state and that I didn’t think I was eligible to vote. Tess helped me understand that I was wrong.
Maine does not take away your right to vote because of a felony conviction. She helped me find the information I needed to register and participate. I remember feeling like a child on Christmas morning. I went directly to my polling place, registered, and cast a ballot for the first time in my life.
I didn’t understand everything on the ballot. I didn’t know everything about politics or government. But I learned something important: I didn’t have to. I could vote on the races and questions I understood and leave the others blank.
More importantly, I walked out of that polling place feeling like I belonged.
Voting sparked something in me. I wanted to know who represented me, what decisions were being made, and how I could have a voice in my community. For years, I had felt like my past separated me from my community. Casting that first ballot reminded me that my past did not erase my voice.
Your voice matters, too.
If you are in recovery, use drugs, have been incarcerated, have a felony conviction, have experienced homelessness, or have ever wondered whether democracy has a place for you, please learn about your voting rights and register.
In Maine, a felony conviction does not disqualify you from voting, including while incarcerated. Maine also allows eligible voters to register in person through Election Day.
Today, take five minutes and register to vote. Then send this to someone else and ask them to register, too.
Your experiences matter.
Your community matters.
Your vote matters.
With solidarity,
Kate Reagan
ME-RAP Operations Director
Register at https://registertovote.sos.maine.gov/
