Press Herald launches digital voter guide covering 138 Maine races

Even for the most informed voters, elections, referendums and ballot propositions can be complex. To simplify the process for readers, the Press Herald created a comprehensive digital voter guide — available to all, for free.

The effort was ambitious. Press Herald staff surveyed hundreds of candidates running for office in 138 Maine elections. Over many weeks, staff reached out to those running for local, state and national races — everything from the Rangeley Board of Selectmen to U.S. Senate. They asked candidates biographical and issue-based questions. Questions like: "Why are you running?" "What are your top priorities?" "If you could change anything about your town, what would it be?" 

Additionally, the team gathered information about more than three dozen local referendums, including town budgets, school budgets and more. 

This marked a considerable effort, undertaken by all corners of the state’s largest newsroom. Reporters, editors, web staffers and many others contributed to compiling data, ultimately creating an immersive, easy-to-read breakdown of upcoming elections in advance of the primaries on June 9. 

For this initial Voter Guide, the Press Herald focused on the eight counties that make up its core coverage areas, but will look to expand statewide for the November elections, with donor support. 

Learn more about each candidate and explore the issues on each ballot by viewing the entire Voter Guide here.