BY LARRY GRARD

Staff Writer

The idea was to give beleaguered town clerks across Maine a break, and also help absentee voters avoid those long voting lines that materialize the day before each election.

The Maine Legislature had that in mind earlier this year when it passed a resolve that would prohibit people from absentee voting in front of the town or city clerk the day before this election. It extended the day of many town clerks, and voters had unexpected lines to deal with.

But there's a way around the Legislature's resolve, which means there still could be long lines at voting sites the day before Election Day.

Voters still can request an absentee ballot on Nov. 3. Once they obtain the form, they can go around the corner, or to the parking lot, fill out the form and then return it to the clerk -- the same day, say clerks across central Maine.

"There's nothing preventing that" in the resolve, said Fairfield Town Clerk Tracey Stevens. Voters "can get around it, but we're not going to be happy about it, I'll tell you. They can get these forms a month before."

Arlene Strahan, city clerk in Waterville, agreed with Stevens that those trying to circumvent the ruling are making work for themselves.

"People could come in before then, give their last name, vote and be done," Strahan said. "Now, they must fill out an application and bring it back. That's two trips" for the voters.

She said the new law "will slow down the amount of work that we have to do. This is going to be the largest election turnout in history, I believe."

It's up to each town to individually pass the Legislature's resolve, as the town of Fairfield did last week. The city of Waterville will vote on the issue this week. It will be before Farmington selectmen next week. "I don't want people saying we're taking away their rights" to vote in an absentee way, Farmington Town Clerk Leanne Pinkham said.

Pinkham said she will discuss the matter with Town Manager Dick Davis.

Skowhegan Town Manager John Doucette said he became aware of the legislative resolve only recently. He is against it.

"I think you're taking the voters' rights away," Doucette said. "I think you should be able to vote five minutes before."

Doucette said he has not yet conferred with Town Clerk Gail Merrick about it.

"She should be bringing it to us as the clerk," he said. The Board of Selectmen will consider the absentee-voting issue when it meets on Sept. 27.

Larry Grard - 861-9239

lgrard@centralmaine.com