Your voice in elections shapes Maine’s future | Column
State Senate President Mattie Daughtry, who represents District 23 encompassing Brunswick, Chebeague Island, Freeport, Harpswell, Pownal and part of Yarmouth, urged Mainers to prepare for the November 3 general election. Her involvement in politics began before she could vote. As a high‑school student she said, “I organized a voter registration drive at my high school and helped people get to the polls.” She added, “I couldn’t cast my own ballot yet, but I could help others make their voices heard.” That early work, she recalled, “taught me that we all have a role in shaping our communities and helping a neighbor participate matters too,” and it set her on a path that eventually led to a run for office. “It also inspired me to run for office, because I saw how much it matters to have someone who listens to you in the room where decisions are being made, and voting is how we choose who takes that seat.”
Earlier this year, Daughtry traveled to Normandy to study D‑Day, an experience that “really brought home how fortunate we are to have a say in our government, and how much others have sacrificed to defend that freedom.” In Maine, civic engagement is a long‑standing tradition. Residents regularly attend town meetings, volunteer for local organizations, and ask tough questions of elected officials. The state consistently ranks near the top nationally for voter turnout, a result she attributes in part to laws that allow no‑excuse absentee voting.
The Secretary of State’s voting place report for the November 3 election lists polling locations and opening times by municipality. Voters planning to vote in person should verify their assigned site, especially if they have moved since the previous election, and contact their town or city clerk with any questions.
Absentee voting is available without a stated reason. Ballots may be requested through the state’s online absentee ballot service or obtained in person at the municipal clerk’s office. The deadline to request a ballot or vote absentee in person without an excuse is close of business on Thursday, October 29. Completed ballots must be received by the clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day; a postmark alone does not meet the requirement.
Anyone eligible to vote but not yet registered can do so in person up to Election Day. First‑time registrants should bring proof of identity and residency; the municipal clerk can explain what documentation is needed and guide them through the process.
Daughtry emphasized the personal stakes of voting, noting, “When Mainers show up to the polls, we are thinking about our children’s schools, whether we can afford to stay in our hometown, or how to care for an aging parent.” She added, “Voting is an essential right that gives us a voice in the intimate decisions that affect our day‑to‑day lives.” Reflecting on the broader purpose of the ballot, she said, “Each of us brings our own experiences, concerns, and hopes to the ballot box,” and “Whenever we cast a ballot and use our voice to shape the world we want to live in, we honor that work and take responsibility for the future we share.”
She also reminded voters that “We all have hopes for the future that get us out of bed in the morning, worries that keep us up at night, and people we want a better future for.” Encouraging participation, she urged, “Make a plan, cast your ballot, and help shape what comes next for our communities.” In a personal appeal, she said, “You don’t have to leave your hopes and worries at the door, bring them to the polls! They’re exactly why your voice belongs.” Concluding, she stated, “Your voice matters, so let it be heard!” and added, “I also would be remiss if I didn’t thank our incredible municipal clerks, election workers, and volunteers.”
