PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s highest court says an election overhaul approved by voters in November runs afoul of the state constitution. The court declared Tuesday that the ranked-choice voting goal of ensuring a majority for the winning candidate is in conflict with the constitutional mandate that only a plurality of the vote is needed […]
voting
Posted inMaine
Maine Senate kills college voter verification bill
The Senate killed a Republican bill on Tuesday that would have increased scrutiny on voting college students in Maine. Five Republicans helped Democrats kill a bill from House Minority Leader Ken Fredette, R-Newport, that would have made cities and towns verify the residence of voters registered at a college dormitory. Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap’s […]
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Posted inLetters, sj-web
Con-men politicians
I am an American. I want my vote counted. I have listened to the reasons why some politicians don’t want my vote counted, and I am reminded of what the con artist replied when asked if his conscience bothered him after lying and cheating to so many people. He answered, “You can’t cheat an honest […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Council says no to consolidating polls in June
AUBURN — The City Council decided not to consolidate Auburn’s polls into one location for the upcoming special election in June, saying the move could cause confusion or deter voters. In Auburn, the school budget validation referendum and special election for the Ward 4 City Council seat will be held June 13. The council voted […]
Posted inMaine
Trump lawyers, Dunlap certain there was no voter fraud in 2016 election
President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for “a major investigation into voter fraud” that seeks to probe a number of issues that Maine Gov. Paul LePage has also raised repeatedly. Neither man has provided a single provable example to back up their claims that election results were tainted. Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, who called […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Bates students turn out at polls in big numbers
LEWISTON — Bates College students aren’t backing down at the polls. “Batesies really showed up,” said Hannah Prince, a junior who headed to the Lewiston Armory to cast her vote for the woman she hopes will be the nation’s first female president, Hillary Clinton. Bates students made a big push to boost turnout this year, […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Political warfare breaks out over Bates voting flap
After Maine Gov. Paul LePage threatened to check up on college students who vote Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union urged the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the governor for violating the Voting Rights Act’s prohibition on intimidating those seeking to cast ballots. Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said LePage’s comments “only inflame […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Secretary of state addresses students about voting
This is a statement issued by Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, addressed to students who may be concerned about voting in the wake of a flier distributed at Bates College that warned students about the possible legal consequences of casting a ballot Tuesday: Your status as a student is a neutral factor in exercising your […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Voter suppression effort decried at Bates College
LEWISTON — Somebody doesn’t want Bates College students to vote Tuesday. Sometime Saturday, orange fliers appeared at a number of dorms and at the school’s dining hall claiming to be a “Legal Advisory” for Bates students. The papers gave no indication of their creator or distributor, despite a legal requirement that they carry a disclaimer. […]
Posted inMaine
Correction: Unenrolled voters can enroll on primary day
A story that appeared on Page A3 on Wednesday should have said unenrolled voters in Maine can enroll in a qualified party at any time, including Election Day or during a primary election. Those enrolled in a qualified party must wait 15 days after switching parties to be eligible to participate in a primary or […]