By Amanda Estes

Staff Writer

In three days, Maine voters will head to the polls to vote on a slew of
state, county and municipal issues.  Here’s a rundown of what
South Portland and Cape Elizabeth residents can expect to see on the
ballot.

South Portland

Two at-large seats on the South Portland City Council, currently filled
by Ralph Baxter Sr. and Linda Boudreau, are up for grabs. Boudreau,
Thomas Blake, Donald Legere and Louis Maietta, Jr. are running for the
seats, which have three-year terms.

Four candidates are seeking election to the South Portland School Board
in three uncontested races. Richard Carter, the current chairman, is
seeking reelection to his district 1 seat. Sara Goldberg is running for
the open district two seat and Ralph Baxter, Jr. and Karen Callaghan
are running for two at-large seats.

In the elections for warden and ward clerk, Timothy Baker is seeking
election to the district 2 warden post, while there are no candidates
for district 2 ward clerk.

An issue of much debate in the city will also be decided, as voters
choose whether or not they want to fund additions and renovations to
South Portland High School with a $56 million bond, which will carry
nearly $29.4 million in interest payments, according to projections
provided by the city’s finance director Rob Coombs.

The ballot will include a summary of South Portland’s bonded
indebtedness as of Nov. 6, which will reflect roughly $27.9 million in
bonds outstanding through 2023.

South Portland City Clerk Susan Mooney said, if necessary, residents
can register to vote or make name or address changes at the polling
places on Election Day. Absentee ballots are available on the city’s
Web site, by calling 767-7601 or by visiting the city clerk’s office.

As in past elections, handicap accessible voting equipment for visually
impaired voters will be available at the polling stations. A preview
and practice number are posted on the city’s Web site to enable
residents to practice casting their ballot unassisted.  

South Portland polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The polling locations are:

District 1- Boys and Girls Club, located at 169 Broadway

District 2-American Legion, located at 413 Broadway

District 3- South Portland Community Center, located at 21 Nelson Road

District 4-South Portland Community Center

District 5- Redbank Community Center, located at MacArthur Circle East

Cape Elizabeth

In Cape Elizabeth, two town council seats, currently filled by Paul
McKenney and Mary Ann Lynch, are being contested. Both Lynch and
McKenney are seeking reelection to another three-year term. Greg
Altznauer is also running. The top two vote getters will win the seats.


On the school board, incumbent Rebecca Millet, John (Jack) Kennealy and
Michael Foley are running in a three-way race for two three-year terms
with the top two vote getters winning seats. Incumbent Patricia Brigham
is seeking election to the remainder of Kevin Sweeney’s unexpired term.


There are no local referendum questions on the ballot this year.

Voting will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Cape Elizabeth High
School. With proper identification and proof of residency, people may
register to vote at the polls.  Absentee ballots are available on
the town’s Web site, by calling 767-7473 or by visiting the town
clerk’s office.

In addition to municipal matters, voters will cast state and county ballots.

Bond issues will also appear on the Cumberland County ballot:

Question 1: Radio Interoperability Upgrade

“Shall the issuance of general obligation bonds of the County of
Cumberland be authorized in an amount not to exceed $1,700,000 to fund
the costs of an upgraded radio and data transmission system for County
law enforcement and emergency response purposes? “

At the estimated maximum interest rate of 5 percent for a 20-year
period, with interest, the estimated cost of the bond will be nearly
$2.6 million.

Question 2: Inmate Medical Facility Expansion

“Shall the issuance of general obligation bonds of the County of
Cumberland be authorized in an amount not to exceed $1,100,000 for the
construction of an expanded medical facility at the Cumberland County
Jail?”

With interest, the estimated cost of the bond is nearly $1.7 million.

Question 3: County Commissioner Redistrict

“Do you favor the Maine State Legislature increasing the number of
Cumberland County Commissioner Districts from three to seven?”