Residents in South Berwick will cast their votes for a handful of local candidates on Nov. 3, while North Berwick will decide on a couple referendum questions. Berwick voters have a light election cycle, with just state and federal races to consider.
In-person voting in each town will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with an absentee ballot request deadline of Oct. 29. Absentee and early voters have until the end of Election Day to hand in their ballots at their respective town clerk offices.
South Berwick residents can vote in-person at Marshwood High School, North Berwick residents at North Berwick Elementary School and Berwick residents at town hall.
Here’s what’s on the ballot in each town.
NORTH BERWICK
Voters in North Berwick don’t have any local candidates to consider, but will decide on two referendum questions.
The first — a potential change to the comprehensive plan — would expand the town’s growth area parameters in an effort to match state legislation. If it’s approved by voters, the amendment would encourage future development in areas already served by public water and sewer infrastructure, rather than in rural areas.
A “no” vote would mean the comprehensive plan stays the same until officials re-draft the ordinance amendment.
The second question will give North Berwick voters an opportunity to weigh in on a nationwide debate over data center developments.
In June, the Select Board decided to skip a moratorium — a step that several other Maine towns have taken — and pursue voter approval to enact a ban. The proposed ordinance would apply to facilities with an aggregate data center area of 25,000 square feet or larger.
Officials say they haven’t received any data center development proposals, but want to be proactive about preventing future ones by implementing the ordinance.
SOUTH BERWICK
Voters in South Berwick have no local referendums, but will decide on new school board members and town councilors.
MSAD 35 — which also serves Eliot — has two seats to fill, although one is a single-year term and the other is a three-year term.
Both races are uncontested, with first time candidate Perrin Chick running for the partial term and returning member Heather Holland, who was elected to the board in 2020, looking to fill another full term.
Chick said in a response to the Press Herald Voter Guide that she’ll prioritize honoring educators and residents’ concerns, and developing a “robust educational experience possible while being mindful of budget.”
Two new town councilors will replace Chair John James, and Vice Chair Mallory Cook in a nonpartisan race. Voters will consider four candidates vying for the seats, including Jane Brekke, Dorothy Maguire, Ronald Fousek and Anthony Palazzetti.
Brekke and Palazzetti said in voter guide responses that they’d prioritize transparency, affordability and budget issues if elected. Maguire echoed affordability issues and added that she’d focus on making downtown South Berwick more accessible. Fousek didn’t provide responses to the voter guide.
STATE RACES
Voters in House District 148 — covering the western part of town and Berwick — will choose a new representative between Republican incumbent Thomas Lavigne and Democrat Marissa Tasker, who is also an MSAD 60 board member.
Residents in House District 149 — covering eastern North Berwick and part of South Berwick — will choose between Democrat Mallory Cook, who is finishing her term as South Berwick Town Council vice chair, and Republican Timothy Towne, who is the Berwick Police chief and was recently appointed as Berwick’s interim town manager.
South Berwick voters will also choose a District 35 state senator. Democratic incumbent Rep. Michele Meyer is facing Republican Julie Rakic.
Some South Berwick residents, along with Eliot and part of Kittery, will choose a House District 150 representative from a group of two. Democrat Alexandros Orestis is taking on Republican Mark Zimmer.
COUNTY RACES
All three towns will join all York County voters in electing a county sheriff, 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 a position as Wells’ police chief. His name will still appear on the ballot because of the timing of his departure from the race.
Voters will also weigh in on whether the county should abolish an elected treasurer position, or to keep it and let county officials appoint someone internally to fill the seat.
The sole candidate for the position, Bobby Mills, is seeking a nonconsecutive term and thinks keeping the position could save voters some money, because a similar but more expensive role on the Budget Committee could be eliminated instead.