The Collins Center for the Arts (CCA) at the University of Maine was met with Orono residents participating in the municipal general election and statewide referendum election between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Nov. 4. During this period, the Maine Campus spoke with 100 voters.
Of the community members who participated in an interview during the first two hours of the polls opening, the majority of voters were above the age of 65. The second-largest age range was 18 to 25 years old, made up of 21 voters. The age range with the least amount of interviewed morning voters is 26 to 33 years old, with only six voters. The oldest voter who spoke with the Maine Campus was 87 years old.
The first statewide referendum on the ballot this year, “An Act to Require an Individual to Present Photographic Identification for the Purpose of Voting,” involves altering identification requirements and other voting processes in elections. Question 1 is worded as follows:
“Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?”
The second referendum, Question 2: “An Act to Protect Maine Communities by Enacting the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act,” seeks to implement red flag law on top of Maine’s current yellow flag law regarding firearms and dangerous weapons. Question 2 reads:
“Do you want to allow courts to temporarily prohibit a person from having dangerous weapons if law enforcement, family, or household members show that the person poses a significant danger of causing physical injury to themselves or others?”
The 100 morning voters were asked which of the two referendum questions they felt strongest about. A total of 64 participants feel that Question 1 is the most important, with eight participants choosing Question 2 instead. Twenty-five participants said “both” referendums matter equally. Three participants said “neither” are important to them.
In Orono, three candidates are running for town council: Andrea Hardison, Colleen Marzilli and John Quinn. For RSU No. 26 School Board, Noah Charney is running unopposed, though there is an option to write in another preference. Both roles involve a three-year term in the town.
Half of the people interviewed by the Maine Campus were also asked if they did research to familiarize themselves with these four local candidates. Over half of the participants said “Yes,” and about 35% said “No.” The remaining responders answered somewhere in between, with “Moderately,” “Somewhat,” or “A little.”
Those who did research about municipal candidates noted how they accessed the information. Most people who learned about the candidates did so through their biographies available on the town website or by reading the newspaper, namely Bangor Daily News. Others pointed to social media, Google, public forums, word of mouth and simply speaking with the candidates directly.
Marzilli stopped by the CCA this morning as a voter and shared that it was a cool experience for her to see her name on the ballot. She hopes that all eligible voters come out to the polls to elect local candidates and have a say in the outcome of statewide citizen initiatives.
“It’s important for people to get out and vote– especially students,” said Marzilli.
In terms of voter experience at the CCA, most morning participants described the process as “easy” or “quick.” However, multiple residents expressed confusion about where to park due to a lack of signage outside. Later in the morning, the issue was taken care of by volunteers.
Orono municipal clerk Shelly Crosby shared that the morning was busy, with volunteers setting up and guiding residents through the voting process. She added that people have been particularly engaged with the referendum questions being asked in this election because of the reach they have across Maine.
UMaine Student Government Vice President Cynthia Shelmerdine voted this morning and encourages other students to do the same because of their resident status in Orono.
“We live here for half the year and we’re affected by local laws,” said Shelmerdine.
The polls will be open at the CCA until 8 p.m. on Nov. 4. Those who wish to register can do so on the spot by bringing a valid photo ID and a piece of mail that was delivered to them at their local address.
