Donald Sjostrom puts voting booth boxes away Monday after helping set up the voting area at the Auburn Senior Community Center. Auburn polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the senior center, City Hall and the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Thousands of Maine voters are expected to go to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots on the most expensive referendum campaign in state history.
More than $60 million has been spent to sway opinions on Question 1, which asks voters whether they support or oppose Central Maine Power’s proposed 145-mile transmission corridor stretching from Quebec to Lewiston.
A yes vote supports the initiative, which would prohibit “high-impact” power line construction in the Upper Kennebec region and give lawmakers the final say on similar projects anywhere in Maine, as well as power lines and various defined activities on public lands going back to 2014. A no vote opposes the ballot initiative and supports NECEC completing construction.
Initiative opponents argue the project could help reduce greenhouse emissions and raise additional funds for clean energy investments in Maine. Initiative supporters claim the project will damage forests and fisheries and do little to combat climate change.
Rick Dubuc, left, and Chuck Smith unload a truck full of voting material Monday at Longley School in Lewiston. Lewiston polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Longley, the Lewiston Armory, Montello Elementary School and The Green Ladle. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Voters will also be asked to decide two other state ballot initiatives. Question 2 is about a $100 million bond to build or improve roads, bridges, railroads, airports, transit facilities and ports, with the funds used to leverage an estimated $253 million in federal and other money. Question 3 asks voters to approve a constitutional amendment declaring the rights of all Mainers to grow, raise, harvest, produce and consume the food of their own choosing.
Voter turnout could be higher than normal for an off-year election featuring no high-profile state or federal races, the Associated Press reported. More than 88,000 absentee ballots have been returned, which is ahead of the 2019 pre-pandemic election. But turnout is expected to be much lower than in 2020.
Most polling places are scheduled to open at 8 a.m. but voters should check with local officials. Voters are not required to wear masks, but most towns recommend them, AP reported.
Donald Sjostrom, left, Bill Lamontagne and Auburn City Clerk Sue Clements-Dallaire set up voting booths Monday at the Auburn Senior Community Center. Auburn polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the senior center, City Hall and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Voters will also be asked to decide two other state ballot initiatives. Question 2 is about a $100 million bond to build or improve roads, bridges, railroads, airports, transit facilities and ports, with the funds used to leverage an estimated $253 million in federal and other money. Question 3 asks voters to approve a constitutional amendment declaring the rights of all Mainers to grow, raise, harvest, produce and consume the food of their own choosing.
Voter turnout could be higher than normal for an off-year election featuring no high-profile state or federal races, the Associated Press reported. More than 88,000 absentee ballots have been returned, which is ahead of the 2019 pre-pandemic election. But turnout is expected to be much lower than in 2020.
Most polling places are scheduled to open at 8 a.m. but voters should check with local officials. Voters are not required to wear masks, but most towns recommend them, AP reported.
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