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University of Maine students living on campus wishing to cast their ballots on Election Day don’t have to travel far.
Voting will be held in the Doris Twitchell Allen Village Woolly Room for Ward 1 Precinct 2, also known as District 123, which includes the UMaine campus. Off-campus students that are residents of the town of Orono can vote at the American Legion Hall, located on Park Street across from Thriftway market.
Residents can also vote in the Orono Town Hall council chambers in the Municipal Building. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sue Hart, the town of Orono voters registrar, said the multiple polling locations for the two precincts and wards make things more convenient for voters on campus and lead to a higher turnout.
“We only have a poll on campus during gubernatorial and presidential elections for convenience,” Hart said.
According to Hart, when there is a polling location on campus, more students are likely to vote.
“I would say there is better voting turnout on campus because of the convenience,” she said.
In addition to voting for candidates, Maine voters will have two bond issues and a constitutional amendment consider next Tuesday. Question 1 is a bond issue for $25 million to raise funds for a new correctional facility in Machias and for improvements to the Maine Correctional Center in South Windham.
Question 2 is a $24.1 million bond issue to be split up for 14 purposes based around a variety of environmental projects.
Question 3 is a state of Maine constitutional amendment that would allow the state to issue short-term debt in limited amounts that must be repaid with federal transportation funds within 12 months to facilitate the development of highways, bridges and other transportation projects.
Hart said she doesn’t believe it is just young people that are not turning out to the polls. Some are concerned that young people are uninterested or just don’t vote, but overall the whole country has low voter turnout.
“I don’t think it’s the young people,” Hart said. “I think it’s everyone.”
People wanting to register to vote can do so up to and including the day of elections. Maine is one of the few states in the country that has same-day voter registration.
Hart said voters who are not already registered can do so at the polls on Election Day with a deputy registrar that will be on site. The voter must be a resident of Maine and show valid proof of residence in the district they wish to vote in.
To prove residence, which can be more difficult for on-campus students, one must have documentation of residence, which could be a driver’s license or car registration. Students can also show an official piece of mail, such as a bill with the address labeled on it.
If a voter attempting to register does not have these things, they can sign an affidavit stating they are a resident of the district and of the address they provide, Hart said. The affidavit is a legal document and if falsified is a punishable class D crime.
“Signing an affidavit might sound scary, but if you’re truly a resident, you won’t have a problem signing the affidavit,” Hart said. “I think we will put them to good use.”
Hart said that if a student or any voter registers to vote in a town, it means that they are resident of that town.
“When registering in a town, you are claiming to be a resident of that town,” Hart said. “It does affect people when claiming residency.”
When registering or voting, all voters must show a picture I.D. to prove their identity. The I.D. can be a Maine Card, a driver’s license or even a Sam’s Club card.
Hart said the political parties are often active in voter registration, but will help voters with absentee balloting if needed. If someone needs a ride to the polls, the parties can provide them.
“We do all we can in our power to get the votes,” Hart said. “We tend to bend over backwards for absentee voters.”
