LEWISTON – Gov. John Baldacci hopes to replace Androscoggin County Commissioner Helen Poulin in a matter of days.

“It’ll be days rather than weeks,” David Farmer, the governor’s deputy chief of staff, said Monday.

Lewiston Democrats met on Sunday, choosing to send the names of Elaine Makas, Richard Grandmaison and Kaileigh Tara to Baldacci for consideration.

During the hour-long caucus, the Democrats gave Makas their overwhelming support. The former legislator drew 49 of the 74 votes cast.

Grandmaison, a longtime party worker, earned second place with 21 votes. Tara, a former Lewiston mayor, had two votes.

On Monday, local party leaders sent the names to Baldacci’s office, along with the percentage of votes won by each nominee.

The names were requested last month by Baldacci in an effort to fill the seat occupied by Poulin. The Democrat moved out of Lewiston in August and bought a home in Auburn.

Though Poulin has said the move was temporary, state leaders disagree. In a formal opinion issued at Baldacci’s request on Nov. 17, Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe said Poulin vacated her office when she moved.

Baldacci intends to appoint a replacement to serve out the remaining two years of Poulin’s term in office. The governor may choose from the nominees or select someone else.

Baldacci’s staff will likely review the credentials of each of the nominees and conduct brief background checks, Farmer said.

There may also be interviews conducted by executive staffers or by the governor himself, Farmer said.

The goal will be to fill the position quickly, he said.

Poulin has said she will not resign her seat, saying only a judge’s order would remove her from office. Since her move outside her district, she has attended county commission meetings and voted on measures before the three-member board.