Primary Election & Referendum Election Tuesday, June 8, 2010
MAIN says...
Make sure your voice is heard. VOTE!
Too often, people with low income don’t feel that their vote can make a
difference. It’s important to realize that the people we elect will make decisions that
affect our daily lives, from the price of milk, bread and gasoline to the quality
of “safety-net” programs available if our families should need them.
Each one of us must be responsible for who gets in office if we want to make government
work for what is best for all of us.
See the Secretary
of State website for information on the upcoming election on June 8, 2010.
Who and what will be on the ballot, how to register to vote and when and how
to vote.
Voters who are enrolled in a party are encouraged to participate in the Primary
Election. Party candidates who are elected at the Primary qualify to appear
on the General Election ballot on November 2nd.
There will also be a Referendum Election held on the same day as the Primary
Election. All voters, whether enrolled in a party or not, are encouraged to
participate in that election.
Primary Election
On June 8, 2010, voters in each party will choose candidates for Governor, Representative
to Congress (both districts), all 35 State Senate districts, all 151 State Representative
districts, and county offices, which vary depending on the county.
Each of the three qualified parties in Maine (Democratic, Green Independent
and Republican) will hold a primary election. You must be enrolled in a party
to participate in the primary election. (Note: Although some unenrolled candidates
choose to designate themselves as “Independent,” there is no “Independent”
party in Maine now.)
If you are currently unenrolled, you may enroll in a party at any time, including
Election Day, by completing and filing an enrollment application with your municipal
(city or town) registrar.
If you want to change enrollment from one party to another, you must file an
application by Friday, May 21, 2010 in order to vote in the new party for the
June 8th Primary.
Referendum Election – June 8, 2010
Referendum Elections are held to provide Maine’s citizens an opportunity
to vote on People’s Veto Referenda, Citizen Initiatives, Bond Issues,
other referenda proposed by the Legislature, and Constitutional Amendments.
All voters, whether enrolled in a party or not, are encouraged to
participate in this election.
Where can I get more information?
For more information about the Primary Election and Referendum Election, go
to the Secretary of
State website. You can also get information at your town office or city
hall. Many local libraries also have sample ballots and other voter information.
Register to vote
You can register to vote at your town office or city hall, through any Motor
Vehicle branch office, in most state & federal social service agencies,
or at voter registration drives.
Completed voter registration cards may be hand delivered or mailed to your
town office or city hall, or sent to the Secretary of State’s Office in
Augusta.
It’s never too late to register to vote in Maine. You can register to
vote until, and including, Election Day. There is no cut-off date for registering
to vote in person at your town office or city hall. If you want to register
to vote by mail, the cut-off date is the close of business on the 21st day before
the election. That date is Tuesday, May 18, 2010 for the Primary Election.
Where do I go to vote?
Every town and city has its own places where people vote. You can call your
town office or city hall to find out where you vote. Voting places open between
6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., depending on the size of the town. Local officials
can give you the exact opening time for your community. All voting places close
at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
How do I mark a ballot?
Each ballot tells you how to mark your choices. If you have a question, ask
an election official. If you make a mistake, fold your ballot and give it to
an election official. The election official will give you another ballot.
Can I have help voting?
Yes. If you need help reading or marking the ballot, you may ask a relative
or friend for assistance. The helper does not have to be a voter or old enough
to vote. An election official can also help you read or mark a ballot. However,
your employer or union official cannot help you vote.
Do I need to go to the polls on Election Day to vote?
No. Any registered voter may cast an absentee ballot instead of voting in person
at the voting place.
Absentee or Early Voting
You can vote by absentee ballot if you want to vote from home or vote early,
before June 8th. Applications for Absentee Ballots are now available at municipal
offices and online
Measures that will appear on the June 8, 2010 referendum ballot: (in the order
they will appear on the ballot):
Question 1: People’s Veto
(veto of PL 2009, c. 382 “An Act To Implement Tax Relief and Tax Reform”)
“Do you want to reject the new law that lowers Maine’s income tax
and replaces that revenue by making changes to the sales tax?”
Question 2: Bond Issue
“Do you favor a $26,500,000 bond issue that will create jobs through investment
in an off-shore wind energy demonstration site and related manufacturing to
advance Maine’s energy independence from imported foreign oil, that will
leverage $24,500,000 in federal and other funds and for energy improvements
at campuses of the University of Maine System, Maine Community College System
and Maine Maritime Academy in order to make facilities more efficient and less
costly to operate?”
Question 3: Bond Issue
“Do you favor a $47,800,000 bond issue to create jobs in Maine through
improvements to highways, railroads and marine facilities, including port and
harbor structures, and specifying the allocation of $4,000,000 of the transportation
bond approved by voters in November 2009 to be used for capital rail purposes?”
Question 4: Bond Issue
“Do you favor a $23,750,000 bond issue to provide capital investment to
stimulate economic development and job creation by making investments under
the Communities for Maine’s Future Program and in historic properties;
providing funding for research and development investments awarded through a
competitive process; providing funds for disbursements to qualifying small businesses;
and providing grants for food processing for fishing, agricultural, dairy and
lumbering businesses within the State and redevelopment projects at the Brunswick
Naval Air Station that will make the State eligible for over $39,000,000 in
federal and other matching funds?”
Question 5: Bond Issue
“Do you favor a $10,250,000 bond issue to improve water quality, support
drinking water programs and the construction of wastewater treatment facilities
and to assist farmers in the development of environmentally sound water sources
that will leverage $33,250,000 in federal and other funds?”
Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election
A Citizen’s Guide is available that gives complete information on the
referendum questions, including the cost and what a ‘yes’ vote and
a ‘no’ vote really means.
Please check on the Secretary of State’s website for the Citizen’s
Guide to the June 8, 2010 Referendum Election or call them at (207) 624-773
MAIN
Update Table of Contents |
MAIN
Home Page |
MEJP Home Page
