By Rep. Parnell Terry
Election Day is right around the corner, and Gorham residents will have a chance to make their voices heard this fall on a number of important issues on Nov. 4. Regardless of your party affiliation, I want to encourage you to vote and keep in mind that your vote matters.
Voting is our opportunity to express our values and priorities. Each election presents a chance to choose leaders who align with our vision for the future and weigh in on initiatives that will impact our lives. Maine has a history of strong civic engagement and participation in elections, and this has resulted in important progress on issues like expanding access to health care, increasing state funding for education and improving local infrastructure.
While congressional and gubernatorial elections are often high-profile and receive a lot of press attention, local elections have a profound impact on our everyday lives. This year, Gorham residents will be asked to vote on several local elected offices, including three open seats on our Town Council and three open seats on our School Committee. Two of the School Committee seats are for three-year terms, and one seat will be for a one-year term.
There will also be two citizen initiatives that will appear on the ballot. The first initiative, Question 1, would require Maine voters to show proof of photo ID for both in-person and absentee voting. It would also put new restrictions on absentee voting like prohibiting family members from returning absentee ballots to a drop box and limiting the number of ballot drop boxes that can be in a municipality.
The second initiative, Question 2, would implement an extreme risk protection order law – commonly known as a “red flag” law – in Maine. These types of laws allow family members to petition a court to temporarily remove the firearms of a loved one if they are deemed a danger to themselves or to others. To learn more about both of these questions, I encourage you to check out the Citizen’s Guide to the 2025 Maine Referendum Election prepared by the Secretary of State when it becomes available.
If you haven’t done so already, there are a couple of different ways you can register to vote and cast your ballot this year. Here in Maine, you can register to vote online, by mail or in-person. You can also register to vote in-person on Election Day. I also recommend you visit the Maine Secretary of State’s website to find information on our local polling places, voting hours and options for absentee voting.
The last day to request an absentee ballot will be Thursday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. To be counted, absentee ballots must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by 8 p.m. on Nov. 4. If you miss this deadline, you can still vote in person on Nov. 4.
Beyond casting your own ballot, you can also do your part by talking to friends and family about the importance of voting. Encouraging others to join you in this civic responsibility amplifies our collective voice and strengthens our democracy. Remember, every vote counts, and history has shown us that a remarkably small number of votes can decide an election.
As we approach Election Day, I urge everyone to make a plan to vote. And, as always, please feel free to contact me at Parnell.Terry@legislature.maine.gov. I can best represent our community by hearing your thoughts on legislation and issues both in our district and across the state.
Rep. Terry is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents part of Gorham. Terry is a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.