AUGUSTA — The Maine House today in a final vote passed a GOP bill that would eliminate same-day voter registration and prohibit absentee voting in the two business days before elections.

The party-line vote was 72 to 65.

Maine is one of eight states that allow same-day registration, and it consistently ranks near the top nationally for voter turnout.

Republicans say LD 1376 is aimed at easing the Election Day burden on municipal workers and helping to prevent voter fraud. Democrats say it would disenfranchise voters.

The Senate on Wednesday voted 18-17 to pass the bill in a preliminary vote. The Senate must vote again for final approval.

Send questions/comments to the editors.