Voter Information Page
for MAINE & Portland 
power logo: portland organizing to win economic rights


Find contact info for your elected officials:
www.congress.org


Just follow the link above, type your zip code into the box in the right-hand column (below where it says "Get Involved," & follow the directions provided (it's very user-friendly!).



 Voting Information & Resources 


MAINE VOTER INFO             PORTLAND VOTER INFO 


We've gathered some information and links to help us all understand more about the voting process. There are two different sections of information: one for voting in Maine, and one that is specific to voting in Portland. While this is still a work in progress, so far we've gathered the following about:

Take a look!

And don't forget:
Election Day is Tuesday November 6, 2012

(Some files on this page are in PDF format & require the program Adobe Reader to open
- click HERE to download a free copy of Adobe Reader)


 Maine Voter Info


CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS!

Find & contact your state & federal elected officials: www.congress.org
Just click on the link above, type your zip-code into the space in the right-hand column (just below where it says "Get Involved"), & follow the directions from there (it's very user-friendly!). It will provide bios & contact information for your representatives at the state level, i.e., in the State House of Representatives & State Senate (here in Maine, these are officials representing you in Augusta), Maine's governor, & elected officials at the federal level, i.e., in the U.S. House of Representatives & the U.S. Senate (those who are representing you in Washington, D.C.).

Note that if you live in an area with more than one state electoral district (for instance, one Portland zip code may include 6 different electoral districts), - then the website gives you the option of providing more information to help you pinpoint your exact electoral district. Just type in either your residential address, or your 9 digit zip code (this is your regular zip code plus 4 extra numbers), and voila! This is helpful for finding your specific state represenative & senator (those representing you in Augusta).

*Note: to find your 9 digit zip code you can go to http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp & type in your residential address.

Also, you can use the following toll-free phone numbers to reach your Maine state representative & state senator (those representing you in Augusta).

State Senators: 1-800-423-6900, State Representatives: 1-800-423-2900.
 

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 FIND YOUR HOUSE & SENATE DISTRICTS
Here are two ways you can look up your House & Senate districts. (What's a district?)
(More about Portland districts here)

Voter Information Lookup available at the following website:
www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/lookup_voter_info.php -
Type in your street number, street name, & town, you'll come up with an info page for your town/city. There are three tabs, the first one shows information specific to your town/city, the second tab shows who your elected officials are (all except elected town/city officials), and the third tab shows candidates for your specific districts (all except town/city officials and issues).

Information shown on the first page/tab:
    • Your Ward & Precinct numbers for where you live (town/city level).
    • Your US Congressional district number.
    • Your State Senate district number.
    • Your State House of Representatives district number.
    • Your County Commissioner district number.
    • Your Polling Place, including the address.
    • Address & contact info for your town office or city hall. 
(what's a district?)


 MAPS of MAINE's HOUSE & SENATE DISTRICTS
If you live in a town/city with multiple districts (for more about Portland districts, see below), here's how you can find your house & senate district out of all those listed for your town/city:

 FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE 
(What's a polling place?)
More on Portland polling places here
  1. Look up the polling places in your town/city:
    www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/lookup_polling_place.php
    After you type in your zipcode or town, you'll come up with a page that:
  • Tells you the location of your polling place. For areas with multiple polling places, see #2.
  • Shows the candidates who are currently running for election in your district this year, whose names will appear on your ballot when you vote in this year's election (more about looking up current candidates here) (doesn't show local candidates.
  • Tells you the location & contact info of your local city/town clerk.
  1. If you live in a city/town with more than one polling place, you'll need to find the one for your specific precinct:
  1. Or, you can also cast an absentee ballot instead of voting at your polling place. You can get an absentee ballot at your local town office or city hall, or you can have it mailed to you (check with your local town/city clerk on this). To learn about absentee ballots, click HERE.
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FIND YOUR STATE CANDIDATES
Here are three ways you can look up state candidates:
  1. Look up the state candidates running in your district: www.vote-usa.org/Default.aspx
  2. Look up state candidates running in your town/city: www.maine.gov/local
  3. Look up the list of all of Maine's state candidates by visiting either:
    1. Vote-USA's Directory of Maine Offices & Candidates
    2. State of Maine General Election Candidate List (HTML) / (PDF version)
      Abbreviations used in above list: Candidates for US Senate= (US) / Candidates for Governor= (GV) / Candidates for US Congress, District 1= (CG1);  Dstrict 2= (CG2) / Candidates for state Senate in Augusta (SS) / Candidates for state House of Representatives in Augusta (SR)
       
( MAINE VOTER INFO )     ( TOP OF PAGE )     ( PORTLAND VOTER INFO )


 FIND YOUR CURRENT ELECTED OFFICIALS    
  1. Find the elected officials currently representing your town/city:  www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/lookup_officials.php
    -shows the district each elected official represents & contact info. Also see #2 below.
  2. To find the elected officials currently representing your house/senate district: first, use this link www.vote-usa.org/Default.aspx to find your house & senate district. Then go back to the first link above & find the elected officials that match your district numbers.
( MAINE VOTER INFO )     ( TOP OF PAGE )     ( PORTLAND VOTER INFO )


 FIND OUT IF YOU'RE REGISTERED TO VOTE
IMPORTANT:
All citizens in the state of Maine have the right to register to vote on election day, either at your local town office or city hall, or at your polling place. Remember to bring proof of your residency with you.

www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/votreg.htm

(For Portland see below)

If you're not sure whether or not you're registered to vote, or if you want to make sure your registration info is up to date (for example, if you've moved since you last voted), you should contact your local municipal (town/city) registrar or clerk.
  1. List of muncipal clerks, with location & contact info, sorted alphabetically by town/city.
  2. List of municipal registrarswith location & contact info, sorted alphabetically by town/city.
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HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE
In addition to the information listed below, here are some helpful links to the Maine state website:
Who can register to vote
Any U.S. citizen who is a Maine resident & is at least 17 years old can register to vote. 

How to register to vote
    1. You register to vote in the town/city where you live. This is the same town/city you where you'll be voting on Election Day. You can register in person, or by mail
    2. You'll fill out a voter registration card (see how to get a card below). 
    3. You'll also need some form of proof of residency.
 Where to register:
In Maine you can register to vote in many places, including:

    • On Election Day you can register to vote at your polling place ;
    • At your local town office or city hall - usually in the municipal clerk's office. To find out where to contact your municipal clerk or registrar:
    • At any local branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
    • At most of your local social service agencies, such as DHHS or Social Security office, etc.
    • At any voter registration drive.
    • By mail: see below.
 Registering to vote by mail 
    1. Where to get a voter registration card:
      • contact your city/town clerk or the Secretary of State's Division of Elections - who will mail youa card to your home address.
      • pick one up at most state & federal social service agencies such as DHHS
      • pick one up at a voter registration drive
      • pick one up at your local library (most libraries have them)
    1. You'll also need a copy of proof of residency - something that shows your current legal name and address, such as a state ID or driver's license, utility bill, check book, etc. 
    2. Mail your voter registration card & a copy of your proof of residency, either to:
When to register
IT'S NEVER TO LATE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN MAINE!!!

You can even register at your polling place on Election Day (remember to bring proof of residency). However, if you plan to mail in your voter registration card (or have someone else bring it in for you), it needs to be mailed (or delivered on your behalf) to your local town office or city hall, or to the Secretary of State's Office, by Oct 17, 2006 (21 days before Election Day). 
If you have any questions, or need a voter registration card or anything else related to voting, don't hesitate to contact Maine's Office of the Secretary of State, Division of Elections:

 Division of Elections
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101
(207)624-7650
cec.elections(at)maine.gov
www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/


 MAINE VOTING RIGHTS
www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/right.htm
Information about your voting rights in Maine. For example, did you know:
  • In Maine there is no deadline for in-person voter registration, including on Election Day. You can even register at your polling place on Election Day (remember to bring proof of residency). However, if you plan to mail in your voter registration card (or have someone else bring it in for you), it needs to be mailed (or delivered on your behalf) to your local town office or city hall, or to the Secretary of State's Office, by Oct 17, 2006 (21 days before Election Day). 
  • In Maine, while you need to be at least 18 years old to vote in the general election, you can register to vote at age 17. You can even vote that year's primary election at age 17, so long as you will be 18 on or after Election Day that year

 Portland Voter Info

Here fellow Portland residents can find their election districts & polling places, look up their voter registration status, see a sample ballot, contact the city clerk, look at district maps, find out
who their city councilors are, see a list of local candidates
, and more.


 City of Portland General Info
 Portland City Hall  389 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101
City's website www.portlandmaine.gov


 FIND YOUR ELECTION DISTRICT
To find which district you live in (Portland only), see: www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/distlook.asp.
Type in your street address & you'll find out the following info:
  • "District" - This is your municipal district (for City Council, School Committee, etc). 
    • Note that on the city's web page this is only labeled "District." 
    • Note also that another name for municipal district is "ward." 
  • "Precinct" - This is your municipal precinct (this # corresponds to your polling place) 
  • "Polling Place" - This is your polling place location where you will go to vote. See below for the exact address of your polling place.
  • "House" - This is your house district (for Maine  State House of Representatives) 
  • "Senate" - This is your senate district (for Maine State Senate)
  • If you have any questions, contact the Portland City Clerk:
    874-8677 cityclerk(at)portlandmaine.gov;
( MAINE VOTER INFO )     ( TOP OF PAGE )     ( PORTLAND VOTER INFO )


 FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE IN PORTLAND
For the exact address of polling places in Portland and/or to see a map of your Municipal (city-wide) district, go to: www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/pollplace.asp
  • Note: in left-hand column, polling locations are identifed by two numbers separated with a hyphen (for example, the first one listed is 1-1). The first number is your municipal district & the second one is your precinct. Click on this hyphenated number for a MAP.
  • If you have any questions, contact the Portland City Clerk: 874-8677. 
The list below is based on the list found on the City of Portland's website: www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/pollplace.asp

Precinct
Map
 Polling Place
Location & Map 
 Polling Place Address 
1-1 East End Elementary School 195 North Street
1-2 Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall 20 Myrtle Street
1-3 Peaks Island Community Hall Peaks Island
2-1 Reiche Elementary School 166 Brackett Street
2-2 Exposition Building 239 Park Avenue
3-1 Woodfords Congregational Church 202 Woodfords Street
3-2 The Italian Heritage Center 40 Westland Avenue
4-1 St. Pius Church 492 Ocean Avenue
4-2 First Baptist Church 360 Canco Road
5-1 Stevens Avenue Armory 772 Stevens Avenue
5-2 Grace Baptist School Gymnasium 476 Summit Street
 
All polling places are accessible to those in wheelchairs. If you prefer, you can also vote at Portland City Hall, located at 389 Congress Street in Portland, Maine. Voting at City Hall occurs in the Office of the City Clerk.
 
Residents may register and vote at their polling places on Election Day. If you need to register at the time of voting, you must provide proof of identity and residency. For more information or if you have any questions, please all 874-8677, or visit www.portlandvoters.com.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have moved or changed your name since you last voted, you must fill out change forms before you will be allowed to vote.



 CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS IN PORTLAND

IMPORTANT: All citizens in the state of Maine have the right to register to vote on election day, either at your local town office or city hall, or at your polling place. Remember to bring proof of your residency with you.

If you're registered to vote in Portland, go to: www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/voterlook.asp, type in your name, & hit enter.Click on your name & it will take you to a page that shows you all sorts of helpful info about where you go to vote, a muncipal district map, a polling place map, etc. It's very handy!

 SAMPLE BALLOTS FOR PORTLAND
See what's on the ballot for the upcoming election, including all the candidates running for local positions such as city council, school board, etc: www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/voter.asp#Sample_Ballots
  • Note: this document includes different ballots for different districts - scroll down to find the one for your district.

 CONTACT PORTLAND'S CITY CLERK

Portland City Clerk
Current city clerk: Linda Cohen
Office: 389 Congress Street, Room 203,
Portland, Maine 04101
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: 874-8610, 874-8677
Email: cityclerk(at)portlandmaine.gov
City Clerk's Webpage: www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/cityclerk.asp

  • For general info about voting in Portland, Maine: click HERE.
  • To see the website for the city of Portland, Maine: click HERE.


 PORTLAND MAINE DISTRICT MAPS

These maps show muncipal districts & precincts, Senate districts, & House districts.
Also, when you enlarge the maps, they show the location of each polling place (where you go to cast your vote on Election Day). Your polling place is determined by your precinct.
For more about how to read these maps, see below.

              District 1                 District 2                 District 3                  District 4            District 5
   Portland District 1  Portland District 2  Portland District 3  Portland District 4  Portland District 5 
  Clicking on each map above will give you an enlarge-able image.


 Understanding Portland's District Maps 

Municipal Districts


Precincts<



Polling Places


Portland has five muncipal districts (1,2,3,4,5) - they are shown on the map in black.

Each municipal district is divided into precincts. Most districts have three precincts, except District 1, which has five precincts. The city of Portland has a total of 17 precincts.

There is one polling place for each district (17 total polling places). Polling places are marked on the map with a small target-shaped circle.

Note: on the map (and elsewhere) your specific municipal district & precinct are combined into one hyphenated number, for example: 2-3. The1st # is the municipal district & the 2nd # is the precinct. For example,  "Municipal district 2, precinct 3" becomes "2-3". 
Senate Districts Portland has two Senate districts (8, 9). Senate districts are shown on the map in blue.
House Districts Portland has eight House districts (113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120). House districts are shown on the map in red.
To zoom in on each map
Clicking on each map brings you to a page with just the map on it: click on the map again & you'll be able to zoom in. Then, once you're done with the enlarged map, click the "Back" button on your browser window to return to this page.


( MAINE VOTER INFO )     ( TOP OF PAGE )     ( PORTLAND VOTER INFO )


 PORTLAND CITY COUNCIL INFO
City of Portland's website: www.portlandmaine.gov

Portland City Council (2008)
 
District Seat up for re-election
in 2008?
Current Councilor Phone &
Email
Address Standing
Committees
District 1
Elected: 2006
Term expires: 2009
No
 
k donoghue
Kevin J. Donoghue

409-2807
kjdonoghue@
portlandmaine.gov
44 North Street, Apt# 1
Portland, Me 04101
CHAIR:
Transportation


Housing

Public Safety
District 2
Elected: 2006
Term expires: 2009
No
d marshall
David A. Marshall

409-6617
damarshall@
portlandmaine.gov
41 Pine
Street, Apt #1
Portland, Me 04102
CHAIR:">
Public Safety


Energy & Environmental
Sustainability


Finance

Legislative
District 3
Elected: 2007
Term expires: 2010
 No
d skolnik
Dan S. Skolnik

831-7343
dskolnik@
portlandmaine.gov 
12 Motley St. 
Portland, Me 04102
CHAIR:
Health & Recreation


Legislative

Transportation

District 4
Elected: 2005
Term expires: 2008
 YES
c leeman
Cheryl A. Leeman
773-4161
cl@
portlandmaine.gov
37 Savoy Street
Portland, Me 04103
CHAIR:
Community
Development


Appointments &
Non-Union Personnel


Transportation
District 5
Elected: 2005
Term expires: 2008

YES
j cohen
James I. Cohen
797-9638
W: 253-4708
jcohen@
portlandmaine.gov

62 Deepwood Drive
Portland, Me 04103
CHAIR:
Finance


Energy & Environmental
Sustainability


Health & Recreation
At Large
Elected: 2007
Term expires: 2010
No
j duson
Jill C.
Duson

 878-0769
jduson@
portlandmaine.gov

101 Pennell Avenue
Portland, Me 04103

CHAIR:
Housing


Appointments &
Non-Union Personnel


Public Safety
At Large
Elected: 2007
Term expires: 2010
No

j anton
John M. Anton
650-8979
janton@
portlandmaine.gov


63 Spruce St
Portland, Me 04102
CHAIR:
Appointments &
Non-Union Personnel


Community
Development 


Finance
At Large
Elected: 2006
Term expires: 2009
No
n mavodones

Nicholas Mavodones, Jr.
774-5136
nmm@
portlandmaine.gov
79 Chenery Street
Portland, Me 04103
CHAIR:
Legislative

Health & Recreation
 
Housing

At Large
Elected: 2005
Term expires: 2008
YES

e suslovic
Edward J. Suslovic
653-4629
Mayor'sOffice 874-8941
esuslovic@
portlandmaine.gov
46 Kenwood St
Portland, Me 04102
MAYOR

Library Trustee


CHAIR:
Energy & Environmental
Sustainability



 

Portland City Council is made up of 9 councilors who are each elected to serve a 3-year term.
Each of the City’s five municipal districts elects one Council member, and
there are four at-large members who are elected by the voters of the entire city.

The 3 Portland City Council Seats up for re-election this year (2008) are:
- District 4 seat: currently held by: Councilor Cheryl A. Leeman
- District 5 seat: currently held by: Councilor James I. Cohen
- At Large seat: currently held by: Councilor Edward J. Suslovic


Portland City Council Meetings
www.portlandmaine.gov/citycou.htm
"Portland residents are cordially invited to attend & address the Council on matters of concern, in accordance with the Council Rules."
--from Portland City Council's webpage
 
Date FIRST & THIRD Mondays
of each month 
Time 7:00 p.m.
Location City Council Chambers
on the 2nd floor of
Portland City Hall
Meeting
Calendar
Portland City Council Meeting Calendar
About
Meetings
www.portlandmaine.gov/councilpacket.htm
City Council
webpage
www.portlandmaine.gov/citycou.htm

City Council Meeting Agendas
www.portlandmaine.gov/agenda.htm
Agendas are posted on the council's webpage before meetings. They are sometimes updated, so it's a good idea to check back periodically. 
Posted on the council's webpage: www.portlandmaine.gov/agenda.htm
Hard copies of the agenda are available
When: on the Friday before the next council meeting
Where:
City Manager's Office
Room 208, Portland City Hall
(ph: 874-8685)


( MAINE VOTER INFO )     ( TOP OF PAGE )     ( PORTLAND VOTER INFO )
 

MISCELLANEOUS INFO

 POLLING PLACES 
Polling places are where you go to vote on Election Day (and for primary elections & any special elections). Your polling place is determined by where you live. Many towns & all cities have more than one polling place location. In this case, the town/city is divided into precincts. Each precinct has its own particular polling place location.

( MAINE VOTER INFO )     ( TOP OF PAGE )     ( PORTLAND VOTER INFO )


 DISTRICTS
The communities we live in are broken up into various districts.
This is so we can elect people from our communities to represent us at the local, state, and national levels of government. At first all the different districts can seem very confusing, but don't be discouraged! Each district relates to a different level of government, such as:

  • Municipal districts:  for the town/city level. Cities & towns are divided into municipal districts so that the citizens from each district can elect people from their community to represent them in their local town or city government. The municipal district you live in determines who you will  elect to represent you at your city/town council, school committee, etc. 
    • Note: Muncipal districts are also called "wards" or "city districts."
       
  • Senate districts: for the state senate level. The senate district you live in determines who you can elect to represent you in the Maine State Senate in Augusta. 

  • House districts: for state house level. The house district you live in determines who you can elect to represent you in the Maine State House of Representatives in Augusta.
     
  • Congressional districts: for the national congressional level. The congressional district you live in determines who you can elect to represent you in the United States House of Representatives in Washington D.C. Maine has two congressional districts, District 1 & District 2
( MAINE VOTER INFO )     ( TOP OF PAGE )     ( PORTLAND VOTER INFO )


PROOF OF RESIDENCY
When you register to vote you should bring some form of identification with you that shows proof of where you live. This is called proof of residency: something that shows both your current legal name and address (the address of where you actually live, not a p.o. box).

Here are some examples: 
    • State ID with your current name & address, or
    • Drivers license with your current name & address;

      If you don't have either of the above forms of identification, you can bring one of the items listed below to confirm your residency. In this case, if possible you should also bring a copy of your social security card or birth certificate if you have one.

    • Utility Bill mailed to you at your current address;
    • A checkbook with your current name & address;
    • Hunting or Fishing license with your current name & address;
    • An official government document that was mailed to you at your current address, such as: 
      • tax returns;
      • Official mail mailed to you by Social Security;
      • Official mail sent to you by DHHS;
Please note: since social security cards, birth certificates, & passports
don't contain an individual's address, they aren't considered proof of residency.



 ADDITIONAL VOTING LINKS
More to come soon!!!

PROJECT VOTE SMART
In addition to other helpful items about how to register, state election guidelines, etc, this website has info about candidates running for office all across the country:  www.vote-smart.org/index.htm (includes profile, candidate issue survey, & contact info)

VOTE-USA
Great place to look up candidates running for office anywhere in the country. Just type in your address and it looks up candidates running for your specific house and senate district, or you can also find a list of all candidates running in a  given state. A great resource! www.vote-usa.org/


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Portland Organizing to Win Economic Rights = POWER!
Contact POWER

Winning our economic rights;
Putting poverty on trial;
Building a Maine that truly is the way life should be - for ALL of us!!!





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