State, county voters uphold vaccine law

By nearly a 3-to-1 margin, Maine voters overwhelmingly defeated an effort to repeal a new state law eliminating non‑medical opt‑outs for vaccinations that protect against a number of childhood diseases. While the vote in Washington County was closer than the 73% to 27% statewide margin, county residents did vote against the measure 58% to 42%. The voter turnout in the March 3 election, which included the state's presidential primary, was much higher than expected, at about 45% of registered voters. The state had estimated a turnout of only 15% to 20%.
Voters in most Washington County municipalities opposed the Question 1 referendum. For the larger communities, Eastport defeated the measure 77% to 23%; Calais opposed it 75% to 25%; Baileyville rejected it 73% to 27%; Lubec turned it down 66% to 34%; and Machias voters opposed it 55% to 45%.
In response to Maine voters' rejection of Question 1, Governor Janet Mills stated: "This law leaves medical exemptions up to medical professionals and ensures that Maine children are better protected from the spread of dangerous communicable diseases. It is the right thing to do for the health and safety of our kids."
"We are humbled by the results," said No on 1 Campaign Co‑Chair Dr. Laura Blaisdell. Although vaccination against illnesses such as measles, mumps, whooping cough and polio have long been a requirement for attending schools, rising levels of non‑medical opt‑outs have dropped protections to dangerous levels. "Mainers are very pragmatic folks, and we do our best to learn the facts before deciding how to vote. In this case, with every major medical organization and all 37 hospitals in Maine urging a no vote, Mainers listened to the medical professionals who are not just their doctors but their neighbors as well," Blaisdell stated.
Maine Families For Vaccines is the grassroots organization that spearheaded the No on 1 campaign.