By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – City officials are discounting charges by mayoral candidate Charles Soule accusing his opponent of cheating two years ago.

Soule alleges that Mayor Lionel C. Guay had friends posted at two polling places in 2003, urging voters to elect Guay mayor. Both were within 250 feet of the polling places, according to Soule.

State law limits campaigning to 250 feet. Candidates can stand within that area, but they can only say their name and shake hands with voters.

“They broke the law, and the people need to know about it,” Soule said.

Guay denied Soule’s allegations.

“I don’t have anything against him, but I don’t think this helps the city at all,” Guay said. “I guess he just doesn’t have a platform.”

Soule is hoping to unseat Guay in Tuesday’s election.

Part of Soule’s claim is backed up by another candidate, Marc Mason, who is running for the Ward 3 seat. Mason said he saw Paul Samson urging voters to support Guay at the polls last year, within the 250-foot limit. Mason said he called the Lewiston city clerk and they put a stop to it.

“That’s the end of it, as far as I’m concerned,” Mason said.

He is hoping to unseat incumbent Lillian O’Brien. Samson is hoping to win the Ward 5 seat in Tuesday’s election.

City Clerk Kathy Montejo said she does not recall it happening. She doubts there was malice involved, however, if it did.

“Polls are busy, and it can be confusing to some people,” Montejo said. As long as the person stops campaigning or moves beyond the 250-foot line, the city does not pursue the matter.

“Some people can get very excited at the polls, and they just talk,” she said. “Usually, when you ask them to stop, they do. That’s it.”

Soule said he waited to level his charges now because he didn’t want to be considered a sore loser.

“I knew I’d run again, and I’d have my chance,” he said.

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