Politics & Government

Ranked-choice voting will come before Maine voters again in a referendum question during the June 12 primary election. Since this is an off-year, June election, voter turnout could be light, which is unfortunate for such an important question.

Maine voters will be making history on Tuesday, June 12, as the state's primary election will mark the first time that ranked-choice voting has been used in a statewide election in the United States.

In the June 14 primary election, Washington County voters reflected statewide choices in the Maine gubernatorial contests, picking Democrat Janet Mills and Republican Shawn Moody, but differed on their selection for the Democratic nominee for congressman.

Critical state funding issues, including two bills connected to the fate of the Downeast Correctional Facility in Machiasport, are hanging on whether or not the state legislature returns for a special session.

Washington County communities recognize the problem of escalating drug-related crimes but are struggling with how to tackle the problem without placing additional financial burdens on already tight municipal and household budgets.

The state's attorney general, the Washington County commissioners and the county's legislators are challenging in court the unilateral decision by Governor LePage and the Department of Corrections (DOC) to close the Downeast Correctional Facility (DCF) without warning on the morning of February 9.