Maine’s June 12 primaries are just around the corner and the field of Democratic candidates for governor and U.S. representative for CD2 is large. Maine will also use ranked-choice voting (RCV) in the primary, the first state in the nation to use RCV in a statewide election. Do you know who you’ll vote for or how RCV works? If you answered “No” to these questions, you’re not alone. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to hear from candidates and learn about RCV and we’ve compiled them in the list below. Know of a public candidate forum or RCV training we’ve missed? Email us at suitupmaine@gmail.com. You can also find information on primary candidates in the League of Women Voters of Maine Voter Guide. For information on registering to vote, absentee ballots, voting locations and more, visit the Maine Secretary of State Maine Voter Guide. For information on ranked-choice voting, visit the Maine Secretary of State’s RCV website.
UPCOMING CANDIDATE FORUMS AND EVENTS
(View recordings of previous candidate forums)
THURSDAY, JUNE 7
RADIO: Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Debate, Maine Public Broadcast Network
10-11:30 am, Local MPBN Radio Station List
WAYNE: Meet-and-Greet with Jared Golden, hosted by Jared Golden for Congress
6-8 pm at 41 Mt Pisgah Road
PORTLAND: Gubernatorial Candidate Forum, hosted by the Portland Democrats
7-8:30 pm at Hannaford Hall on the University of Southern Maine campus, 88 Bedford Street
TELEVISION: Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Debate, Maine Public Broadcast Network
9-10:30 pm, Local MPBN TV Station List
FRIDAY, JUNE 8
MILLINOCKET: Meet-and-Greet with Lucas St. Clair, hosted by St. Clair for Congress
6-8 pm at the Designlab, 135 Penobscot Avenue
SATURDAY, JUNE 9
RADIO: CD2 Democratic Candidate Primary Debate (Rebroadcast), Maine Public Broadcast Network
12 pm, Local MPBN Radio Station List
LEWISTON: Lewiston Town Hall with Jared Golden, hosted by Jared Golden for Congress
12-1:30 pm at the Bates Mill Atrium, 36 Chestnut Street
RADIO: Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Debate (Rebroadcast), Maine Public Broadcast Network
2 pm, Local MPBN Radio Station List
FARMINGTON: Farmington Town Hall with Lucas St. Clair, hosted by St. Clair for Congress
4-5:30 pm at Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church, 118 High Street
GARDINER: Gardiner Town Hall with Jared Golden, hosted by Jared Golden for Congress
4-5:30 pm at the Gardiner Main Street, 149 Water Street
SUNDAY, JUNE 10
GARDINER: Gardiner Town Hall with Lucas St. Clair, hosted by St. Clair for Congress
11 am-12:30 pm at the CoLab: a Coworking + Conference Space, 149 Water Street
TELEVISION: CD2 Democratic Candidate Primary Debate (Rebroadcast), Maine Public Broadcast Network
4:30 pm, Local MPBN TV Station List
TELEVISION: Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Debate (Rebroadcast), Maine Public Broadcast Network
8 pm, Local MPBN TV Station List
MONDAY, JUNE 11
WILTON: WDC Primary Candidate Meet & Greet , hosted by the Wilton Democratic Committee
5-8 pm at Collins Cakes & Bakes Inc., 285 Main Street
RANKED-CHOICE VOTING WORKSHOPS
FRIDAY, JUNE 8
BUCKSPORT: Ranked-Choice Voting Info Session, hosted by Maine Common Good Coalition
1 pm at The Local Variety, 79 Main Street
WILTON: Confection Election with Ranked-Choice Voting, hosted by Wilton Free Public Library
6-7:30 pm at the Wilton Free Public Library, 6 Goodspeed Street
SATURDAY, JUNE 9
CALAIS: Ranked-Choice Voting Information Session
11 am at the Calais Free Library, 9 Union Street Calais
RECORDINGS OF PAST CANDIDATE FORUMS
Your Vote 2018 Candidate Profiles Maine Public Broadcast Network podcasts of all gubernatorial and Congressional candidates
Blue Wave Gubernatorial Candidate Panel, Orland March 22
Hosted by Maine Common Good Coalition
Gubernatorial Debate at the Penobscot Nation, Indian Island April 25
Hosted by the Penobscot Nation
Progressive Gubernatorial Candidate Forum, Damariscotta May 13
Hosted by Indivisible Lincoln County and Indivisible-Boothbay
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Forum, Belfast May 21
Hosted by Indivisible Waldo
BlueWave Gubernatorial Candidate Forum, Bar Harbor May 23
Hosted by Indivisible MDI
Democratic Gubernatorial Forum, Rockport May 26
Hosted by the Knox County Democratic Committee and Maine Teen Advocacy Coalition
Suit Up Maine is an independent, all-volunteer grassroots progressive group that seeks to build a more informed and engaged electorate in Maine. Founded in 2016, Suit Up Maine is run by and for Mainers, and is not engaged in fundraising of any kind. Representing thousands of constituents across Maine’s 16 counties, Suit Up Maine raises awareness of and advocates for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. Suit Up Maine is beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians.
