Morning Update: Election Day in Maine

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Mental health needs to be treated like any other illness or injury. It’s ok to talk about it, it’s ok to seek treatment without shame, it’s all gonna be ok.”

– Retiring Baileyville Police Chief Bob Fitzsimmons, who has opened up about how his job with the police department impacted his mental health and is now encouraging others not to be ashamed of seeking help.

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

Today is Election Day. Along with electing a new president, Mainers will be making decisions about congressional leaders, state legislators, referendum questions and local races. Follow our live blog for the latest updates throughout the day, and watch for statewide and local results once polls close at 8 p.m.

If you’re voting in Bangor, or a handful of surrounding towns, you can catch a free ride to the polls on one of the city’s trolleys. The first ride will arrive at the Cross Insurance Center at 8:50 a.m.

Five swing towns that could predict Maine’s biggest elections. The mix of demographic shifts and consequential local races make the municipalities key bellwethers for the state and the other places like them.

These four races could have big impacts on Maine’s Legislature next year. Maine Republicans are hoping to secure control of the House after Democrats held the majority for the past six years.

The race between Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat, and Republican Austin Theriault will likely decide whether Republicans keep a slim House majority or lose it to Democrats. The competition has also drawn nearly $9 million in combined campaign funds; This is where that money came from.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

Maine’s Quion Burns (22) attempts a shot as Newport native and Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Monday. Flagg scored 18 points in Dukes 96-62 win over the Black Bears. Credit: Ben McKeown / AP

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

“As far as I can tell, the No. 1 goal of every elected official is simple: Get reelected at all costs.”

Opinion: I can’t wait until Election Day is over — no more political ads, no more robo-calls

LIFE IN MAINE

Now that the evenings bring frost, and the air stays nippy during the day, it’s time to put your garden to bed. You can ensure success for next year’s garden by clearing any detritus that could be hiding bugs and other disease-causing threats.

Ken Voisine had quite the hunting experience to be proud of this year; both his sons shot deer within just hours of each other. The boys, along with their father and grandfather, were out in the stand by 6 a.m., full of anticipation for what would become a successful hunt.

If you or one of your loved ones are out in the woods this fall and winter, whether you’re hunting or not, there’s a possibility of getting lost. Maine game wardens have the skills needed to rescue you, and emphasize that it’s better to be safe than sorry and call if you think someone has gone missing.