Tim Nangle: Strong communities start at the ballot box

By Senator Tim Nangle

One of the most important things we can do as citizens is vote — not just every two or four years, but also in the local elections that shape our day-to-day lives. On Tuesday, June 10, all five towns in our district — Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, Westbrook and Windham — will hold municipal elections. These ballots will include a range of items, such as town and school budgets, races for the select and school board, and other important local questions.

State Senator
Tim Nangle

It might not always make headlines, but what happens in local government matters deeply. Decisions about school funding, road repairs, emergency services and property taxes all start at the municipal level. These are the issues that most directly affect our kids’ classrooms, the quality of our drinking water and the conditions of the streets we drive on every day.

In the Senate, I’ve been proud to vote for legislation that delivers funding to our municipalities and schools, supporting them in crafting their budgets. But before I was elected to the Maine Senate, I served as a town councilor in Windham. My experience there taught me just how much local decisions and the people who make them rely on input from engaged residents. When more people participate in these elections, we create stronger communities and a more accountable government. Your vote helps shape the direction of your town, whether it's by considering a school budget or selecting someone to sit on the board that oversees it.

If you’ve never voted in a June election before, or if you’re not sure what’s on the ballot this year, I encourage you to take a few minutes to find out. Voting is simple, and your local town office can help answer questions about registration, absentee ballots or what’s on the ballot.

Here’s when and where to vote in each town on June 10:

Windham:

Polling Location: Windham High School's Auxiliary Gym, 406 Gray Road
Polling Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On the Ballot: RSU #14 Budget Validation Referendum

Additionally, Windham’s Annual Town Meeting will be held on June 14 at the Windham Town Hall Gymnasium, at 8 School Road, to adopt the 2025-2026 annual budget.

Raymond:

Polling Location: Jordan-Small Middle School Gym
Polling Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On the Ballot: RSU #14 Budget Validation Referendum; Annual Town Warrant; Two Select Board members; Three Budget-Finance Committee members; One RSU Board of Directors member

Casco:

Polling Location: Crooked River Elementary School, 1437 Poland Spring Road
Polling Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On the Ballot: Selectboard Member; MSAD #61 Board of Directors Member; Open Space Commission Member; Casco Naples Transfer Station Council Member

Frye Island:

Polling Location: Fairway Lane, Frye Island
Polling Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On the Ballot: Four positions for MSAD #6 At-Large School Board Director; MSAD #6 Budget Validation Referendum

Westbrook:

Polling Location: Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge St.
Polling Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On the Ballot: Municipal School Budget Validation Referendum

Let’s not take for granted the chance to make our voices heard. Make sure you make a plan to vote on June 10. I hope to see a strong turnout in our district. Local government works best when it reflects the people it serves — and that starts with you.

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or ideas for how state government can work better for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me at Tim.Nangle@legislature.maine.gov or reach the Senate office at 207-287-1515. <