By: Rep. Michel Lajoie, D-Lewiston
Election Day is right around the corner, and Lewiston residents will have a chance to make their voices heard this Nov. 4 on a number of important issues. Regardless of party affiliation, I want to encourage you to exercise your right to vote because your voice truly 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 have ongoing impacts on our lives. Maine has a rich 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. Our state is a great example of what a healthy democracy looks like.
While the congressional and gubernatorial elections aren’t until next year, our local election is right around the corner and, arguably, has an even more profound impact on our everyday lives. This year, Lewiston residents will be asked to vote on several items, including City Council seats in wards 1, 3, 5 and 7 as well as school committee seats for wards 2, 4 and 6, and one at-large seat.
Additionally, there will 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. 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 Maine Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election prepared by the Secretary of State’s Office.
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. You can register to vote online, by mail or in-person at Lewiston City Hall. You can also register to vote in-person on Election Day at your local polling place. I recommend that you visit the Maine Secretary of State’s website to find information on our local polling places and options for absentee voting.
If you are voting in-person on Nov. 4, polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you are voting absentee, the deadline to request your ballot is Thursday, Oct. 30 at 4:00 pm. To be counted, absentee ballots must be returned to our 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 always, if you have questions, concerns or ideas, you can reach me directly at Michel.Lajoie@legislature.maine.gov or call my office at 207-287-1430. Remember to vote!
Rep. Michel Lajoie, House District 96, represents a portion of Lewiston in the Maine House of Representatives. He serves on the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.