Photo credit: Gorham Times StaffGorham residents voting in the November 8 election will be asked to cast ballots for governor, a representative for Congress, two state legislators, three Town Council members, two School Committee members, and two local referendum questions.
Ranked-choice voting will apply only to the race between Democrat Chellie Pingree and Republican Edwin Thelander for US Congress. Voters should put their first choice in the 1st column. They may put choices in the 2nd and 3rd choice columns, but they do not have to. There are no other ranked-choice contests.
All registered voters can vote for governor. Running for senator in Senate District 30 are Democrat Stacey Brenner and Republican Timothy Thorsten. Candidates for state legislature in House District 109 are Democrat James Boyle and Republican Joseph Velozo. Profiles for these four candidates are on pages 7 and 8 of this issue.
Democrat Maureen Terry is running for the legislature unopposed in House District 108. All other candidates for state office are unopposed. There are seven candidates running for three seats on the Gorham Town Council. There are profiles for each on pages 6 and 7. Three people are running for two seats on the Gorham School Committee. Their profiles are here.
Voters will be asked to vote on two local referendum questions. The Town Council voted to recommend a yes vote on both questions.
Question #1 asks if voters will approve a Charter amendment that increases the dollar amount the Town Council can spend for a capital expenditure without a referendum to $500,000 from the current limit of $250,000. This would not allocate new money but refers to funds already approved by the council. The amount would be adjusted annually for inflation.
Question #2 asks if voters will authorize the Town of Gorham to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $10,523,215 for an HVAC system and LED lighting for Gorham High School and to complete the Narragansett Elementary School modular expansion.
Absentee ballots are being mailed to those voters requesting them. To request one, call the town clerk’s office at 222-1670. They must be returned by 8 p.m. on election day, November 8. They may be mailed (two stamps required), returned in person, or dropped into the Ballot Box at the Municipal Center.
Eligible residents who are not registered to vote in Gorham may get a registration application at the town clerk’s office and return it there. Mailed registration applications must be received at the clerk’s office by October 18. Maine has same day registration, so residents may register and vote at the polls on election day.
Absentee voting began on October 11. Voters may vote absentee in person at the town clerk’s office during regular business hours. Beginning October 24 through November 3 voters may cast absentee at the Council Chamber at the Municipal Center. There are extended hours from October 24 through October 28. Call the clerk’s office for the schedule. November 3 is the last day an absentee ballot can be requested without special circumstances.
On November 8, all polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ward 1 voters will vote at Shaw Gym at the Municipal Center, Ward 1-1 at Gorham Middle School, and Ward 1-2 at Great Falls School.