How Waterville is handling the upcoming election

The upcoming election, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, is a busy time for all those involved. In Waterville, a lot of work must be done to ensure that proper precautions are taken with regard to the virus and that everything goes according to plan.

Waterville City Clerk, Patti Dubois, described how much work goes into the preparation process alone. 

“Preparation starts several months out. Basically, we started preparing for this election right after the July primary,” she stated in an interview with The Colby Echo. 

“We had to set the polling place. We had trouble getting a polling place this election because of COVID-19, so that was somewhat challenging. And then from there, we have to notify the local parties about caucus requirements for local seats,” Dubois explained. “So we have to attend caucuses to register people to vote and tell the chairs what vacancies are coming up. And then, we have to begin the planning for the ballot layout and verifying petition signatures for people that want to get on the ballot and ordering the ballots and all that,” Dubois continued. 

Another layer is added to an already complicated process when the pandemic enters the mix. While the city of Waterville is doing their best to increase voter turnout, they must also ensure that state regulations are followed. 

“Because we have gathering limits now, that is going to impact election day pretty significantly because we can only have fifty people within one location at a time, and that includes staff,” Dubois said. “So that means, at any one time, you’re only going to be able to have twenty-five or so voters within the voting place because we have a staff of about twenty to twenty-five. So that means that there will be very, very long lines on election day, and that’s unavoidable.”

One Colby Votes Fellow, Althea Ulin `22, expanded on this, explaining the impact long lines have on voting. 

“One of the number one things that deters people from voting is showing up and having a long line or being in line for too long. Then, for Colby students, you have class, or you’ve been in line and want to do something else or you are busy; whatever it is,” Ulin said. “Beyond that, we are in the middle of a pandemic, so it is not a great idea to be in a crowded place and just be standing there. So, we should be doing whatever we can to decrease the chance for exposure, not only for ourselves, but for whoever else.” 

One way to combat this problem is through absentee voting. Dubois revealed how this, in essence, is the same as early voting and is being administered as of now. 

“Early voting in the state of Maine is different than early voting in other states. So, early voting in Maine is really just absentee voting. You don’t need a reason to request a ballot to vote early; you can do it just for convenience,” Dubois said.

Dubois encouraged residents to participate in absentee voting today, explaining how easily one can do so. 

“People can request an absentee ballot through an online system. There is a link on our website. And, that system is managed by the secretary of state’s office. People can request a ballot by filling out an application on our website and filling it out and sending it in, so that it’s a written request,” Dubois explained. “Or, they can call us. We have a dedicated line for absentee requests, so they can call us and request a ballot. We have to speak with them directly. Or, we have in person absentee voting. Here at city hall, we are currently staffing in-person absentee voting so people can come into city hall during regular business hours.” 

This year, regular voting only takes place in one location, which is typical of Election Day in Waterville.

“For this election, we will be voting at the Waterville Junior High School which is located at 100 West River Road. We’ve had one polling location for about twenty years,” Dubois said. 

Meanwhile, Colby Votes is working hard to increase on-campus voting. While Colby typically has a high registration rate, voter turnout fails to meet these numbers. 

“Ages 18-24 is the lowest voting population and for those voters, it’s low across the board everywhere for a multitude of reasons. Our goal is to motivate voters and to actually get them engaged in what they are voting with,” Ulin said. 

What many young adults, students in particular, fail to recognize is the impact this has on the reputation of their entire population. 

“The reason people discount young people’s voices is because they don’t turn out to the polls. So, if we can get people past that mindset and get them out to the polls, then that entire narrative changes, and so it’s all just kind of a self-perpetuating cycle,” Ulin stated.

To combat this, the accessibility of registration is paramount. 

“If we make it more accessible, you can do it on campus,” Ulin explained. “You can do it while you’re going to the testing tent. You can do it while you’re on your way to the gym, or on your way out.”

With the election rapidly approaching, Colby Votes is doing everything they can to eradicate the issue of low voting rates, regardless of political stance.

“Our goal right now is to just get everyone to vote whatever their partisan politics are. So, it’s really about getting people to send in their absentee ballots,” Ulin said. “Early voting I think is really important for us. That is our main goal.”

Something that worked to increase turnout in the past is no longer an option due to the pandemic. 

“The number one way to actually get people to come out to the polls is peer to peer contact. So, not being able to go up to people and knock on people’s doors, in the dorm even, is a little bit of a struggle for us,” Ulin explained.

~ Jenna Boling `24