The June 9, 2026 primary elections are coming, and the result of these elections will determine who will run for the Democratic and Republican parties in the general election in November. Here, we share some important information for voters in Gorham.
But first, an apology: in the May 7 issue of the Gorham Times, we published some incorrect information in the paper, but corrected it in the online copy. Although the hard copy stated otherwise, Gorham is part of Maine’s 1st Congressional District. For state legislative purposes, Gorham is in Senate District 30 and House Districts 108 and 109.
Who can vote in the primary election? The following explanation is from the official State of Maine website (https://www.maine.gov/sos/elections-voting/upcoming-elections):
Semi-Open Primary: Maine law allows unenrolled voters – those who have chosen not to enroll in a party – can choose either a republican or democrat ballot, but that does not change their party enrollment. They remain unenrolled. These unenrolled voters may only vote in one party’s primary.
Voters enrolled in a party may only vote that party’s primary ballot. Enrolled voters do not have the option to select another party’s ballot unless they change enrollment at least 15 days prior to the primary (May 26, 2026, for June 9, 2026 primary election). When a voter enrolls in a new party, they may not change their party enrollment again for three months unless they move to a new municipality and establish a new voting residence there.
Official information from the Town of Gorham can be found at: https://www.gorhammaine.gov/town-clerk/pages/june-9-2026-state-primary-annual-school-budget-election-voting-information
The following information about Gorham’s June 9 election was taken from the sample ballots provided by the Gorham Town Clerk, and will provide you with the questions being asked on the ballots you will be given at the polls on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 (or that you will receive in the mail if voting absentee).
The Town of Gorham ballot has one issue, the School Budget Validation Election. The only question is, “Do you favor approving the Town of Gorham School Budget for the 2026-2027 school year, which was adopted at the latest Town of Gorham Council meeting held on May 12, 2026?” (A report of that meeting can be found on page 6 of this issue of the Gorham Times. A report of Superintendent Perry’s explanation of the budget to the Town Council can be found in an article of the May 7 issue of the Gorham Times on page 5, and in the School Department ad in this May 21 issue on page 11.) When voting on this question, a “yes” vote means you support the budget proposal, and a “no” vote means that you do not support the budget proposal.
On the State of Maine, Democratic Primary Election, House District 108 (128D) and 109 (129D), voting will be for the following contests by ranked choice:
U.S. Senator: David A. Costello, Janet T. Mills, Graham C. Platner, and write-in.
Governor: Shenna Bellows, Troy Dale Jackson, Angus King III, Hannah M. Pingree, Nirav D. Shah, and write-in.
Representative to Congress: Chellie Pingree, and write-in.
State Senator: Eleanor Y. Sato, Sophia Bailey Warren, and write-in.
Representative to the Legislature: Parnell W. Terry, and write-in.
Judge of Probate: Paul Aranson, and write-in.
Cumberland County Sheriff: Kevin J. Joyce, and write-in.
District Attorney: Valerie A. Adams, Jacqueline A. Sartoris, and write-in.
On the State of Maine, Republican Primary Election, House District 108 (130R) and 109 (131R), voting will be for the following contests by ranked choice:
Governor: Jonathan J. Bush, Robert B. Charles, David J. Jones, James D. Libby, Garrett Paul Mason, Owen Z. McCarthy, Benjamin T. Midgley, Robert J. Wessels, and write-in.
U.S. Senator: Susan M. Collins, and write-in.
Representative to Congress: Joshua James Pietrowicz, Ronald C. Russell, and write-in.
State Senator: Harry J. White, and write-in.
Representative to the Legislature: Kelly L. Dearborn, and write-in.