For Immediate Release
October 22, 2010
Contact: Matthew Dunlap
207-626-8400

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap Highlights Updated Online Election Services and Information

AUGUSTA, Maine — Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap announced that his office has updated its online elections services and information making it easier than ever before for voters to find important information about the upcoming election.

On November 2, Mainers will choose their next Governor, their first and second district Representatives to Congress, 151 State Representatives, 35 State Senators, and a variety of county officers.  In addition, voters will decide the fate of three ballot questions.  “There is a lot to consider in this election and voters are busy,” noted Secretary Dunlap.  “With our updated online services we’ve tried to make it as quick and easy as possible for voters to get the information they need to participate in the election and to make informed decisions.”

The Secretary of State has made available:

• Maine's Voter Information Lookup, where voters can locate their polling place, learn who will appear on the ballot in their districts, and find the names and contact information for their elected officials and their municipal clerk.  The Service is available at http://www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/elections_voting.

• Maine Citizen's Guide to the Referendum, where voters can find detailed information about the questions that will appear on Referendum Election ballot.  The Citizen’s Guide is available online at www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming.html#citguide.   The Citizen's Guide was prepared by the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Attorney General, the State Treasurer and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review.  The Citizen's Guide includes a list of the referendum questions, the legislation each question represents, a summary of the intent and content of the legislation, an explanation of the significance of a “yes” or “no” vote, an analysis of the debt service on any bond issues, and an estimate of the fiscal impact of each referendum question on state revenues, appropriations and allocations.  In addition to being posted on the Secretary of State’s website, the Citizen's Guide is published in paper format and distributed to municipal offices as well as libraries in Maine and to any citizen who requests a copy.

Voters can find links to these services and additional information on the Secretary of State’s Upcoming Elections webpage and the Voter Information webpage.