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TODAY’S TOP STORIES

Maine voters Tuesday defeated a Republican effort to institute voter ID and limit absentee voting and passed a “red flag” gun control law born out of the Lewiston mass shooting. Both results were generally backed by liberals, but Democratic Gov. Janet Mills opposed the red flag referendum.

Three progressive candidates were elected to Bangor’s City Council. The crowded race featured nine vying for the seats, Bangor’s largest pool in the past six years. In the School Committee race, voters chose two candidates with teaching backgrounds.

​​Houlton voters elected two councilors who had previously resigned over fallout from the town manager’s arrest. But it was unclear Tuesday night if they’ll accept the roles.

Elsewhere in the region, Orono elected an incumbent and a newcomer to the Town Council, Old Town voters selected two experienced candidates for their Town Council, Ellsworth voted in three new City Council members, Belfast reelected its mayor, Lisbon finally approved a school budget while elevating the leader of a tax revolt to the Town Council, and Buckport chose an incumbent and a business leader for two seats on its Town Council.

You can see how your municipality voted in the election on our results page. Votes are still being collected and will be added as they come in throughout the morning.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

Orono boys soccer captains Wesley Crouse (left), Bergen Soderberg, Matthew Allen and Brady Hews celebrate the Red Riots’ Class C North win over Mount View on Tuesday. Credit: Matt Junker / BDN

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

A truck unloads materials at the Hawk Ridge Compost Facility in Unity Township on June 2, 2023. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection

“Policymakers at all levels should ban PFAS-containing products and producers of these chemicals and the manufacturers who use them must be held legally responsible.”

Opinion: Solving Maine’s PFAS problem requires accountability from producers, not just landfills

LIFE IN MAINE

This fatal deer disease is spreading toward Maine like a wildfire.

Seven huge bucks were tagged in the first days of Maine’s firearms season. One is a monster.

When you can’t find a deer you shot, a licensed tracker may be able to help.