Multiple “Yes on 1” political signs advocating for voter ID and changes to absentee voting were defaced with swastikas in Harpswell in early October, according to residents and law enforcement.
Some signs have been removed and are being kept as evidence by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s Deputy George Bradbury said signs at the Harpswell Scout Hall, the entrance to Mitchell Field, and Ash Point Road were removed after a complaint.
Bradbury said the swastikas were only placed on signs promoting Question 1 on the ballot for a statewide referendum in November. He said there was no evidence found to indicate who vandalized the signs or why. He urged anyone with information to call the agency’s nonemergency line at 800-501-1111.
Harpswell resident Tracy Johnson Colby, a volunteer with the Yes on 1 campaign, said about 28 signs were placed in town and nearly all were defaced — a higher number than the Sheriff’s Office was aware of when contacted for comment. She said some were vandalized with swastikas and others with the number 8.
It was the second time in less than two years that antisemitic graffiti has been found in Harpswell. An incident on Great Island in early 2024 resulted in the arrests of a local father and son, who pleaded guilty to criminal mischief.
Alex Titcomb, campaign manager for Voter ID for ME, said he has no idea who vandalized his campaign’s signs, but “any person would probably infer that if they are vandalizing Yes on 1 signs then they are against Yes on 1.”
“It’s just sad to see that some people are choosing to infringe upon their neighbors’ free speech rights by vandalizing property and trying to cancel out the speech with their own,” Titcomb said in an email. “No matter what one’s views are on any given subject, no one should resort to harming people or their property.”
Question 1 would require voters to present a photo ID to vote and would overhaul the rules for absentee voting, according to The Maine Monitor. It would eliminate two days of absentee voting and bar requests for absentee ballots by phone or for another person, such as a family member.
The measure would repeal automatic, ongoing absentee status for older people and those with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot returns, limit the number of drop boxes, and require photo ID for both in-person and absentee voting.
Supporters contend the changes would boost election “security and transparency,” and ensure a level playing field for all voters, the Monitor reported. Critics have called it a “voter suppression measure” that adds new hurdles to voting — especially for older people, rural voters and those with disabilities.
About 57% of Harpswell voters cast absentee ballots in the 2024 presidential election, according to Harpswell Town Clerk Cathy Doughty. Roughly 45% of absentee voters were Democrats, 24% were Republicans, 28% were unenrolled, and just over 2% belonged to another party.
Harpswell resident Larenda Mielke said she saw the defaced signs and was “very disappointed” that someone in the community would do such a thing. She said the incident has made her determined to vote yes on Question 1.
“No one in his/her right mind would use swastikas to label fellow Americans who happened to have a different opinion on an issue, and even a not very controversial one,” Mielke said in an email. “We need to practice civic thoughtfulness and understand that people have different opinions, and most of all, listen to each other.”
Correction: Because of incorrect information from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that required contact information was missing from the defaced signs.
