Letter to the Editor: You can vote early

Maine’s primary election will be held on June 8th. Registered voters in Maine are able to vote early, before Election Day, by absentee ballot. Anyone can vote early using an absentee ballot. You don’t need a reason to vote early – all you need to do is contact your town office and request an absentee ballot be mailed to you.

I like going to the polls on Election Day. It’s a great way to visit with people you may not often see and an opportunity to feel camaraderie regarding our precious democratic right to vote. Not everyone, however, can make it to the polls on Election Day. Some people may have to work all day or have other responsibilities making it difficult to get to the polls. Others just don’t like going to the polls for a variety of reasons, especially in bad weather or if they have difficulties finding parking, waiting in lines, etc. It’s great Maine allows you to vote either way: early, in the privacy of your own home by absentee ballot (or at the town office, if easier), or at the polls on Election Day.

The primary elections are important for many reasons, especially if you care who our next governor will be. The primary will determine which of the republican or democratic candidates for governor will make it on the ballot in the general election this November. There are also referendum questions regarding a number of issues, including a tax reform proposal and bonds.

If you want to vote early, contact your town office and request a primary election ballot for the party you are enrolled in be mailed to you (you may also stop at the town office and pick one up). If you are unenrolled, you will receive referendum ballot (although unenrolled voters can enroll into a party if they wish to vote using one of the primary party ballots). Some town office numbers include: Carrabassett Valley: 235-2654, Chesterville: 778-2433, Eustis: 246-4401, Farmington: 778-6539, Industry: 778-5050, New Sharon: 778-4046, Jay: 897-6785, New Vineyard: 652-2222, Strong: 684-4002, Temple: 778-6680, Weld: 585-2348, Avon: 639-5326, Carthage: 562-8874, Rangeley: 864-3326, Kingfield: 265-4637, Phillips: 639-3561.

It’s also worth mentioning registered voters in some Franklin County towns (including Avon, Industry, Rangeley, Weld, Carrabassett Valley, Jay) can actually request an absentee ballot on-line by completing a short application at: http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl. All towns will be required to accept absentee ballot requests electronically for the general election this November. More information regarding the primaries, referendum questions and voter rights are available on the Secretary of State’s Web site at: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming.html. Thanks for voting in Maine’s primary election.

Ann Woloson lives with her family in Belgrade Lakes and is a candidate for Maine Senate District 18.

She can be contacted via, PO Box 589, Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918, 458-0416, ann.woloson@myfairpoint.net