Women’s rights, inflation and the economy were priorities for Central Maine, who gathered at polling stations Tuesday to vote on Election Day.

The parking lot at Waterville Middle School was packed. In that parking lot, Democratic Governor Janet Mills stood outside chatting with voters. Opposite stood Ms. Tammy Brown, the sister-in-law of his Governor LePage, former Republican Paul, who was running for the 65th House.

Colby College senior Kathy Brink, 21, said abortion rights was a big issue for her and she voted for Mills.

“I voted because I want to make a difference and I know my options are there,” Brink said. “That[abortion]is something I’ve been worrying about for a long time. I think everyone should have a choice. I think it’s very important.”

In Scoughan, small business owner Glenn Steuber, 58, voted for Lepage for governor because he believes Lepage can help the Republican president and restore the nation’s respect around the world. said he voted.

“I’m a very strong Republican and one of my biggest problems is the border,” Steuber said.

Gail Perrott, town clerk of Scoughan, said nearly 1,200 people voted in absentee ballots, but she expected more.According to Maine Secretary of State’s Office As of today, the town has 4,690 registered voters, of whom more than 1,700 are registered Republicans, nearly 1,500 are registered Democrats, and another 1,300 are unregistered or registered with a third party. I’m here.

For Jeanne Shay of Skowhegan, preserving democracy was a priority.

“I think Republicans are trying to undermine the voting process nationally, so I think it’s important to keep the Democrats in power,” Shay, 73, said.

Long lines form at Waterville Middle School on Tuesday as residents wait to vote. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

She also supports women’s abortion rights, which Mills said she will continue to vouch for.

“I think she’s done a great job with the pandemic,” Shay said. “She was half-hearted in many areas. I think he was calm, cool, and never said a bad word.”

In Oakland, the fire station parking lot filled up shortly after 7am as 67-year-old Landon St. Peter headed to the polls.

“Maine is in serious trouble,” he said. “We’re on the slide and we’re headed downhill. I vote for Paul Lepage. He seems to have a better economic program now than the Augusta clown.”

St. Peter said he was concerned about inflation and heating costs and believed LePage would address these issues.

“I don’t know what people will do this winter,” he said. “I think he has a good chance. I’m hopeful.”

In Fairfield, 65-year-old Kim Quirion walked out of the community center and said he voted for Mills.

When asked what issues drew her to the polls, Quirion said, “The big issues for me are democracy and women’s rights. They’re both at the top.”

Zach Hamlin, 28, also of Fairfield, called himself a “big Republican” and said he would probably vote for Lepage.

“I have kids in school now, and money is a little tighter than usual,” Hamlin said.

He also said he would vote in favor of building a school in Benton for students in grades 3 to 6.

Voters will pick up their ballots at Skowhegan City Hall on Water Street on Tuesday. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Turnout remained steady throughout Tuesday, with about 1,200 people turning out by 4 p.m., according to Fairfield Town clerk Christine Keller.

In Winslow, the parking lot of Macrilyse Rousseau Veterans of Foreign War Post 8835 filled to capacity as 75-year-old Kay Ann Michaud left the polling station. She said elected officials must do something about food costs.

“I go shopping once every three weeks, and every time I go, the prices go up,” she said. “I voted for Mills because I think she has done a good job over the last four years. It’s up to the person. I believe she will defend women’s rights because she already has them.”

Like Michaud, Waterville’s Elizabeth Hill and Sam Underwood, 31, say they want to see women’s rights protected following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, Mills said. said he voted for

I worry about Roe v. Wade and the Supreme Court situation. I worry about the control of the House and Senate,” said Underwood, a professor of philosophy at Hasson College in Bangor.

Hill, Colby’s visiting philosophy instructor, said she and Underwood lived in Newfoundland, Canada, for five years and moved to the United States just as Roe v. Wade was overturned.

At least one voter interviewed on Tuesday was less clear about how to vote.

Lisa Madore, 51, from Auckland, who has struggled with abortion issues and believes the state should be more conservative with its budget, doesn’t know exactly how she will vote until she walks into the voting booth. I didn’t understand.

“I believe women have rights, but at the same time there has to be a fine line between whether or not they are allowed,” Mador said of the abortion issue. ’cause I don’t think there are good candidates.It’s a tough day.I’m a half-hearted person.”

To reset your password, please use the form below. After you email your account, you will receive an email with a reset code.

” Previous

Next ”

Filed under:

CM election 2022, cmnews, fairfield maine, listen, maine politics, morning sentry, oakland maine, politics, scowhegan, waterville, winslow maine

Related article