PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — More than half of the registered voters in Presque Isle turned out last Tuesday to cast their ballots and let their voices be heard.
According to warden Larry Perry, 3,466 people voted in the Star City.
“More than half of the people registered to vote came out to do so,” he said, noting that there are a little less than 6,000 registered voters in Presque Isle. “The turnout was what we would typically see during a presidential election or a primary.
“We were seeing slightly over 200 voters an hour. There was one hour — from 2-3 p.m. — that was our slowest period and we slipped to 150 voters. Everything else was over 200 an hour. Our biggest surge was between 5-6 p.m. and we did 357 people in that hour,” said Perry. “The morning tends to see more of the older voters because many of them aren’t working, while the younger people — who do work — come in from 4:30-6 p.m.”
Polls in Presque Isle were open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
“It was steady all day long,” said Perry. “I think the bear baiting referendum brought a lot of people out. That’s not scientific by any means, but that was the impression I got. There was some interest in the gubernatorial race, but that’s not what I heard people talking about. They were talking about Question 1.”
With so many people turning out to vote, Perry said they actually ran out of ballots.
“We had a big turnout on absentee ballots — almost 800 — so we used the extra absentee ballots we had on hand,” he said. “We eked out. We were getting close; in some races we were down to five ballots that we were switching back and forth between tables to make sure everybody had what they needed.”
This year’s election saw a number of first-time voters.
“We had a tremendous amount of new registrations. There were a lot of first-time voters — 18-year-olds in the evening — and a lot of people who haven’t voted for a long time came out. I saw people that I haven’t seen since the last presidential election,” Perry said. “The women who were assisting with voter registration worked their hearts out. It was just constant, and they did a great job.”
Trevor Levesque cast his ballot for the first time Nov. 4.
“It’s our duty, so to speak, so I wanted to participate,” said Levesque, 18. “Question 4 (gene medicine) and Question 1 (bear baiting) were the two big reasons why I came to vote. For my first election to include the position of governor is more pressure put on me, but it gives me my right to choose who it is, and hopefully it will be the right person.”
Levesque said he felt like he was an informed voter.
“I’ve read about some of the candidates and issues online,” he said, “plus I’ve had some prior knowledge beforehand on some of the people running who I’ve met before at different events.
“I’ll keep voting because it puts my voice out there,” said Levesque.
Nick Crouse, 19, said it’s important for the younger generation to get out and vote.
“In 20-30 years, the generation that I am is going to be what’s leading the state and country, and I feel like we need to get involved in what’s going on,” he said. “This is my first major election. This could be a pretty big election; there’s a lot going on in the world, the country and the state, so it’s pretty important.”
Crouse said he was more interested in Question 4 and the gubernatorial race.
“I feel like cancer research is one of the more important things in the country,” he said, “and the governor’s race is pretty big. I’m pretty deep into politics, and have been for a few years. I’ll definitely keep voting. It’s one of our rights and we get to decide what happens.”
Hale Cushman, 18, was less enthusiastic about the voting process.
“My mother had the largest contribution to me being here,” he said. “I wasn’t planning on coming. I just hadn’t had the desire to.”
“I told him that it’s important to vote,” said Cushman’s mother, Michelle. “He needs to know that it’s important that his voice is heard. Opinions count, plus it’s a rite of passage. As a community member, voting is the responsible thing to do.”
Cushman said he decided to vote about 25 minutes before going to the polls.
“I guess the biggest reason I decided to come was to vote ‘No’ on Question 1,” he said. “The safety of the public was my reasoning. If no bears are getting trapped, they’re running around on our streets.”
Perry wishes to thank the election volunteers and encourages anyone interested in assisting at the polls next year to contact city hall.
“We just cannot find people to work. We were working a couple of times two and three less than what we actually needed to supervise the polls,” he said. “By law you have to balance Republicans against Democrats; there can only be one more Democrat, for instance, working than there are the number of Republicans, or vice versa, so we have to balance that. We were looking for people the day before the election; that’s how tight it was.
“We knew we’d be busy,” Perry said. “Secretary of State Matt Dunlap predicted 55-60 percent voter turnout statewide and we hit that. It was a long day; I worked 17 hours and Bev Labbe [city clerk] did too. We literally did not have a chance to sit down, but I’m glad because that means that people came out and exercised their right to vote.”
In Presque Isle, Emily Smith (1,942 votes) and Leigh Smith (1,745) were elected to two three-year terms on the Presque Isle City Council. Also receiving votes were Donald Gardiner (1,461) and Dwayne Singletary (702).
Robert Cawley (403 votes), Lori Kenneson (194) and Joanna Newlands (305 votes combined from the communities of Castle Hill and Mapleton which she represents) were re-elected to the SAD 1 board. They all ran unopposed.
In Ashland, James Laveway (338 votes) and Janet Jandreau (330) were elected to three-year terms on the SAD 32 board. Also receiving votes was Michelle Eastman with 168 votes.
Fort Fairfield voters elected Amanda J. McLaughlin (1,172) and Susan Gould-Leighton (1,125 votes) to three-year terms on the SAD 20 board. Also, John F. Herold (1,238) was elected to a three-year term on the Town Council.
Mars Hill residents were faced with two alcohol-related questions. Question 1, “Shall this municipality authorize the state to issue licenses for the sale of liquor to be consumed on the premises of licensed establishments on Sundays — yes or no?” was approved 325-315. Question 2, “Shall this municipality authorize the state to issue licenses for the sale of malt liquor and wine to be consumed off the premises of licensed establishments on Sundays — yes or no?” was approved 324-310.
Masardis voters elected Sheila Lyons (96 votes) to a three-year term on the SAD 32 board. Lyons ran unopposed.
In Washburn, residents were asked, “Shall this municipality authorize the state to permit the operation of agency liquor stores on days other than Sunday?” The measure was approved 409 (Yes) to 240 (No).
