Local questions that would essentially ban the development of wind turbines in Dixfield and Rumford was a major reason for a large voter turnout at Tuesday’s general elections.

In Rumford, Donald Rajaniemi said he didn’t like the ordinance that would essentially ban turbines from Black Mountain and two adjacent peaks.

“It’s too restrictive,” he said.

Richard Gallant was interested in the question asking whether voters want a casino in Oxford County.

“I’m in favor,” he said.

For Rumford resident Sharon Parr, it was all about gubernatorial candidate Paul LePage.

“He’s the guy that will get things done and put a stop to a lot of nonsense,” she said.

Deputy Registrar of Voters Marcia Chaisson said nearly 40 new voters had registered by 3 p.m., including a half-dozen or so students in Mountain Valley High School’s government class taught by Chris Carver.

Deputy Town Clerk Bev Thorne said earlier in the week that at least 800 people had already voted by absentee ballot.

In Dixfield, where voters were to decide, among other things, whether to pass a citizen petition calling for zoning that would essentially ban wind power, Deputy Town Clerk Theresa Hemingway said nearly 200 absentee ballots had been cast.

That was twice the usual number during a nonpresidential election year, she said. By mid-afternoon, close to 500 voters had cast ballots.

Dixfield resident Ben Welch was against wind power, but he voted against zoning for other reasons.

“I’m against zoning because landowners have a right to do what they want with their land,” he said.

Lisa Keim brought her 10-year-old daughter, Sierra, to the polls and let her drop the ballots in the large wooden box.

She said she always votes, and she was concerned about the Oxford County casino question.

“I don’t want it. It’s not a wise use of people’s money,” she said.

She also didn’t favor wind energy because, she said, it is too highly subsidized and the state already has enough electricity.

She said she voted “yes” for zoning.

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