Politics & Government

Voter turnout is expected to be high in the U.S. election on Tuesday, November 5, with many considering the race for president one of the most consequential in many decades.

All seven candidates running in the Saint Croix riding in the October 21 provincial general election say Campobello Island needs a year round ferry. They agree that law courts should return to Charlotte County and that the area faces issues with homelessness, drugs, crime and healthcare.

While the state supplemental budget that was signed into law on April 22 includes more funding for the Maine State Police that could help beef up rural patrol coverage in the state, including Washington County, the additional amount was cut significantly during the legislative process.

A local state representative, Anne Perry of Calais, has been put into the national spotlight for sponsoring a bill that has gained controversy for its connection to supporting Maine's already existing abortion and gender-affirming medical treatment laws.

A tribal sovereignty bill that was introduced in the legislature near the end of February may be pared down to those areas where agreement can be reached between the tribes and the state so that it doesn't end up being vetoed at the end of the short legislative session scheduled to adjourn in April.

Maine voters will have eight referendum questions to consider at the polls on Tuesday, November 7. Questions 1 and 3 should be considered together as they both have to do with the state's electric utilities.