Three legislators, a religious lobbyist, and two witnesses who testified to the Education Committee have filed an application for a people's veto referendum seeking to overturn Maine's new vaccine exemption law. Senator David Miramant (D-Knox), Rep. Heidi Sampson (R-Alfred), and Rep. Justin Fecteau (R-Augusta) joined Christian Civic League lobbyist Michael McClellan and two individuals who testified against LD 798, Rebecca Grant-Widen of Wilton and Sarah Kenney of Orono in submitting the application.

The Secretary of State's office will determine the language to be used on the petitions for referendum. The applicants need to gather over 63,000 valid signatures of registered Maine voters in order to place the question on the ballot this November.

The Christian Civic League apparently is planning to seek the same type of referendum with regard to the "Death with Dignity" law and another which will provide state funding for Medicaid patients having an abortion.

MMA physicians are urged to watch the immunization situation carefully, to talk with your neighbors about it, and most of all to vote if the question makes it onto the ballot in November. This being an off year, with no national, statewide, or legislative races on the ballot, a small but determined group like this could overcome the will of a majority of Mainers if that majority does not vote.