The Orono community will be voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Collins Center for the Arts (CCA) on the University of Maine campus. On the ballot today there is Question 1, Question 2, Town Council elections for a three year term and the candidate for the R.S.U No. 26 School Board. With volunteers managing traffic, helping orchestrate same-day registration and the CCA bumbling with activity, the countdown begins. Local issues hold immense amounts of weight and each voter becomes a heavier voice for each issue.
Our live update coverage can help the community stay informed throughout the day. As we have reporters at the polls conducting interviews and writing on hot-topic issues, the Maine Campus will be a resource for community voting concerns. Email eic@mainecampus.com for questions or new information.
Live election updates below (Nov. 4)
7 a.m.
Polls opened early this morning with voters starting to file into the CCA for municipal and statewide referendum elections.
8 a.m.
Volunteers were moved to the parking lots to redirect traffic and guide community members to the right polling station. For same-day registration, the entrance is at the south of CCA next to the local Memorial Union bus stop. For those registered, go through the main entrance next to the CCA parking lot.
9 a.m.
From opening to 9 a.m. Maine Campus conducted interviews with early voters who were largely above the age of 65 years old. With 100 people polled, 64 felt Question 1 was most important and eight felt Question 2 was most important. 25 said both mattered equally and three said neither was important to them.
Before 10 a.m., there were 360 ballots in the box.
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
UVote UMaine helps with same-day registration. They urge voters to bring in proof of address to vote. This includes mail or utility bills. This is required alongside ID.
12 p.m.
Groups of people in the CCA are waiting to vote, with only small lines forming. A largely younger population in the college range is present, with no one available for comment.
High winds trigger a power outage warning. Polling signs have fallen, but voting is still in the CCA!
1 p.m.
A gentle stream of people continues to enter the CCA, with few college-aged voters. Very few people were available to speak to the Maine Campus, but four spoke with our reporter.
Two students were hopeful that Question 2 will pass, given gun violence in the U.S. One said that they believed Question 1 would pass, attributing this possibility to the lack of care among students.
2 p.m.
There are no long lines at the polls.
The CCA has a calm turnout, with 18 voting and five registering at 2:40 p.m.
Just five minutes later, 14 more voters walk in. With the nasty weather lifting, more make the journey to the polls.
3 p.m.
The CCA is filling up with more voters. There are 25 in the line to vote, with eight individuals going through the same-day registration process.
Local press sets up equipment to conduct interviews and cover the ongoing election.
