Maine voters head to the polls for a packed November ballot

Voters cast ballots across Maine on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in an election that included federal races and local measures.

The League of Women Voters deployed more than 250 observers to monitor polling locations statewide. The group reported no major issues at the polls. Turnout appeared on pace to reach record highs as the polls closed.

Voters selected a new governor to replace Janet Mills. The choices were Democrat Hannah Pingree, Republican Bobby Charles, and independent Rick Bennett. In the U.S. Senate, voters decided between incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson. In the 2nd Congressional District, the race was between Republican Paul LePage and Democrat Matt Dunlap.

Health care, immigration enforcement, and the cost of oil and gas topped the list of concerns for many residents. Several voters expressed frustration with the volume of spending in the Senate race. In Biddeford, Ken and Jeanne Ready said they voted against Collins because of her support for President Donald Trump. Ken Ready called the president a loose cannon and described the Iran war as bad business.

Local ballots included ordinances on data centers and mobile home park rents. In Sabattus, voters considered a temporary freeze on data center construction. The Maine Legislature passed a national first moratorium on data centers in April, but Gov. Mills vetoed it. Kayley Buzzell supported the local measure, citing noise and water usage concerns. Other voters in the town said environmental worries were overblown.

In South Portland, 22-year-old David Roy voted at the South Portland Community Center. He moved from Burundi to Maine at age 4 and said immigration enforcement and living costs motivated him. In New Sweden, Chuck MacLeod, 69, and his wife Lisa, 67, voted for Republican candidates, citing fiscal responsibility. Bonnie-Jean Brooks, 84, of Stockton Springs, voted for Pingree, Jackson, and Dunlap. She described Dunlap as a tremendously honest person.

Residents in Newburgh complained about the volume of political text messages and ads. Becky D'Haiti, 61, voted for Rick Bennett for governor because of his approach to mental health treatment. She said she works two jobs and does not have time for non-family texts. She looked forward to the end of the campaign season.