Secretary of State Charlie Summers’ voter fraud investigation that targeted college voters is reprehensible on several levels. It smacks of partisanship, the effort originating from a request by Republican Party Chairman Charles Webster, but that is not my primary concern.

Maine has been a well-documented victim of “Brain Drain,” a phenomenon that sees scores of talented and intelligent young Mainers leaving the state in pursuit of better opportunities and jobs. This latest effort by Secretary Summers’ will do little to alleviate an issue that should be a serious consideration for Mainers of all political affiliations.

Vote Yes on 1 to encourage people to make a civic investment.

There is a high correlation between civic engagement and voter participation. It is also a fact that voter turnout is lower among younger voters, like college students. The Secretary of State’s efforts should be directed at maximizing voter turnout among this group of young people. Give college students a reason to engage, and to become invested in the important issues that will impact Maine’s future, and maybe fewer will decide to leave the state after graduation.

Let’s make it easier for first time young voters to turn out in droves on Election Day. Sec. Summers should concentrate his efforts on encouraging young voters to participate and make a civic investment in Maine’s future.

Increasing civic engagement among Maine college students makes good fiscal sense, too. In tough economic times it is necessary to maximize scarce resources — like a population of educated young adults. Maine invests millions in public education, including the University of Maine system, only to see many students leave the state after college. Maine is fronting the money for an investment, but failing to collect when that investment matures.

Vote Yes on 1.

Ben Seel

Belgrade

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