Highlighting the All Maine Votes Forum were speaches from several candidates and a demonstration of the new accessible voting machine. The event took place on the afternoon of Monday, September 25, 2006, in Augusta.

Gubernatorial candidates Gov. Baldacci, Pat Lamarche, and Phillip Morris Napier were on hand to share their visions of Maine and to answer written questions from the audience. Also present were numerous candidates, or their representatives, for other federal and state offices.

Also present were representatives of the Secretary of State's office who provided an opportunity for people to use the new accessible voting equipment. One of these machines will be in each voting location in Maine. Using an enlarged telephone keypad, blind, vision impaired people, and others who desire to have the ballot read to them, this will allow many voters to vote without an assistant for the first time. After the voter makes her, or his, choices, the machine will print a paper ballot that will be hand counted. The machines are not only for the "officially disabled," they may be used by voter who wishes to.

Gov. Baldacci checking out the new voting machine.

This event was sponsored by ALL MAINE VOTES, a nonpartisan coalition dedicated to encouraging all eligible Maine citizens to exercise their right to vote. Affiliated organizations include: the Advocacy Initiative Network, Consumers for Affordable Health Care, Disability Rights Center, The Brain Injury Association, Maine Developmental Disabilities Council, Maine Statewide Independent Living Council, Maine Center on Deafness, Center for Community Inclusion, Speaking Up For Us, Alpha One, the Iris Network, Maine Office of Secretary of State, Ability Maine, and others.

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