Here’s what’s on the ballot in York
York voters will decide on six referendums this fall. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer)
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York voters will decide on a handful of local issues on Election Day, including a $500,000 ambulance funding question, a ban on Flock cameras and on single-use plastics.
In-person voting will take place on Nov. 3 at York High School from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee voters should request their ballots by Oct. 29, and early voters can hand their ballots in at the town clerk’s office anytime before that date.
Here’s what residents will be considering.
SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN
In May 2025, York became the first Maine town to ban single-use plastics when a group of high schoolers proposed an ordinance in an effort to reduce waste.
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Over a year in, voters now have the opportunity to make the ban — which applies to stir sticks, straws and utensils — permanent by getting rid of a sunset clause. If that clause stays in place, it would effectively end the entire ordinance on Dec. 31.
Town officials told the Press Herald in September that they were initially hesitant to make the ban permanent because earth-friendly materials usually cost more and they weren’t sure if local businesses could afford the change.
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But several restaurant owners and workers have said they’d support a permanent ban, and that they’ve managed to find affordable alternatives.
The York Select Board unanimously recommends that voters lift the sunset clause.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT
Voters will decide whether state and federal disaster relief funds should become a part of the town’s emergency management ordinance.
Right now, emergency assistance funds, including federal reimbursements for public infrastructure repairs like the Cliff Walk restoration, are treated independently.
Voting “yes” on the article wouldn’t change how assistance funds are used — it would just organize them under the emergency management ordinance umbrella.
A new line would be added to the financial authority section of the ordinance, mandating that town officials can vote and use assistance funds so long as the amount doesn’t exceed available state or federal dollars awarded to the town.
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The Select Board unanimously recommends passing the article.
REVENUE BOND QUESTION
Voters will weigh in on an ordinance, submitted by citizen petition, titled “Revenue-Bond Preference for Self-Sustaining Capital Projects.”
In short, the ordinance aims to avoid using property tax-backed general obligation bonds for capital projects deemed to be wants, not needs. It defines “needs” as projects that are essential in maintaining safety, legal compliance and other core municipal functions, whereas “wants” are projects that would enhance quality of life but are not essential.
Any project under consideration would have to undergo a feasibility assessment to determine revenue, operating expenses and other criteria outlined in the ordinance.
If passed, the ordinance would allow the Select Board to continue to use general obligation bonds to fund “needs” projects.
For projects that are “wants,” though, the type of bond would be determined by the feasibility assessment. If the assessment determines that the project would generate a certain level of revenue, then it could only be funded by revenue bonds. If not, the project would require majority approval by the town Budget Committee, which would have to explain its decision.
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The Select Board unanimously opposes this proposal.
‘STOP ALPRs’ ORDINANCE
Amid a nationwide debate over Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers, York voters will have the opportunity to immediately implement a new ordinance banning the technology in town.
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The ordinance, which was proposed through an August citizen petition called “Stop ALPRs,” gained the support of 115 residents. Some said at a public hearing that the cameras violated their Fourth Amendment rights.
On Sept. 14, York police Chief Owen Davis told the Select Board that all such cameras in town — including four on public property — were being immediately removed, and that the department’s contract with Flock would be terminated. Two cameras located on private property but operated by law enforcement were also removed.
Four Select Board members recommended passage, while Vice Chair Marla Johnson voted against it, saying the ordinance as written could ban technology other than surveillance cameras that law enforcement has found beneficial.
YORK AMBULANCE FUNDING
In July, York Ambulance Association told the Select Board it needed an additional $180,000 to sustain it through the end of its contract with the town next summer. By August, the independent EMS service’s shortfall grew to $350,000, triggering a special budget referendum.
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If approved, the town will allocate a total of $500,000 to the service. That includes $150,000 the town already committed to the service in a May vote as its annual contribution. The town would then pay the service $300,000 from its unassigned fund balance, with the rest to be paid in installments so long as York Ambulance can meet a set of conditions each month.
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The Select Board has repeatedly expressed frustration with the ambulance nonprofit over a lack of transparency and communication, saying the funding issue could’ve been mitigated had it been raised earlier. Members have also questioned the service’s long-term financial stability.
Voting “no” would create a gap in essential emergency services, as York Ambulance would likely run through its available cash by the end of November.
Regardless of the outcome of the vote, the Select Board intends to consider alternatives to extending its contract with the company, like building an in-house EMS service. The select board voted 5-0 to recommend passage, while the Budget Committee voted 5-2.
WIRELESS COMMNUICATIONS FACILITIES ORDINANCE
Voters will consider an amendment to the town’s existing wireless communications facilities ordinance that would clarify the requirements for mounting antennae and define certain structures.
If approved, the ordinance would no longer include “water towers, utility poles and towers, light poles or light stanchions” in the location requirements for WCFs. Instead, those locations would be simplified to “utility structures.”
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The amendment would add definitions under the “support structure” section of the ordinance for residential structures and utility structures while removing a definition for “existing nonresidential structure.”
Any structure containing a legal dwelling unit, per the town’s zoning ordinance, would constitute a residential structure. A utility structure is one that supports electric transmission, like telephone poles, or other essential utilities like water towers.
The Select Board recommends passage 4-1.
COUNTY ELECTIONS
Voters will also weigh in on the York County sheriff race, choosing between Democratic incumbent William King and Republican challenger David Corbett.
A third candidate, independent Brian Pellerin, dropped out of the race in September and took on a position as Wells’ police chief. His name will still appear on the ballot because of the timing of his departure from the race.
Another ballot item will ask voters countywide whether they support eliminating an elected treasurer position, which some officials say is purely a ceremonial role.
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The sole candidate for the position, Bobby Mills, is seeking a nonconsecutive term and thinks keeping the position could save voters some money, because then a similar but more expensive role on the Budget Committee could be eliminated instead.
If county residents decide to eliminate the elected treasurer position, the role would become one that is appointed internally by county officials.
STATE RACES
York voters will also choose a District 35 state senator. Democratic incumbent Rep. Michele Meyer is facing Republican Julie Rakic.
Voters in House District 146 — covering western York, as well as part of Wells and all of Ogunquit — will choose a state representative. Democratic incumbent Gerry Runte Jr., currently serving his second term, is facing former District 149 Rep. Bradley Moulton, a Republican.
In House District 147, covering coastal areas of York, Democratic incumbent Holly Sargent is seeking reelection unopposed.
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Tagged: election 2026, york county government, york select board
Isabelle Oss is a community reporter covering Kittery, Berwick, North Berwick, South Berwick, York and Ogunquit. Born and raised in Colorado, she moved to Maine in April 2026. Isabelle holds a master’s. More by Isabelle Oss
