To The Editor:

Recently, Senator Collins urged the U.S. Congress to waive a requirement of the  Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act that states, including Maine, would not have to match 20 percent of the $400 million set aside for states to safely conduct elections.

Is that $400 million necessary? It is six months away from the Nov. 3 general election. Isn’t this premature? Having followed this spending spree in reaction to this virus, we know much of these taxpayer responsibilities (not payments; this is all “funny money”) have been misdirected. This is a totally misguided expense.

Let local town clerks, who do the heavy lifting, determine what, if anything, is needed at the time of the election.

And why not start promoting absentee voting to reduce the number who have to show up in person at the Old Town Hall to vote.

Bob Casimiro

Bridgton