When voters read the ballot to elect a new Lincoln County Register of Probate they won’t see any names, but there are three candidates. No major party candidates sought the nomination in June to succeed current Register Chester Fossett, who decided not to seek another term. Fossett has served since 1987.

Write-in candidates Ken S. Maguire, 77, of South Bristol, Catherine H.Moore, 43, of Jefferson, and Stephen Brian Gottlieb, 51, of Boothbay have all filed paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office as certified candidates.

The Register of Probate position is a four-year term. The Register oversees a deputy clerk and clerk in processing requests for name changes, adoptions, guardianships, passport applications, genealogical research, and probating estates without a will.

According to Fossett, the register needs a business background, familiarity of the law, and knowledge of state statutes.

“You can’t just walk-in off the streets and do this job,” Fossett said. “If you know what you’re doing it’s not too challenging, but you do need an educational and business background.”

According to the three write-in candidates, they all have the necessary experience.

Gottlieb has owned the Center Cafe in Boothbay for the past three years. He has also owned two small businesses and worked 15 years for an industrial supply company.

He spent three years studying pre-med at the University of Minnesota. He later switched to pre-law at the University of Southern Maine. He didn’t receive a degree in either field as his education was interrupted when he married and had children. He recently completed work at Maine Maritime Academy to receive his seamen’s papers.

Gottlieb believes his education, experience working in the corporate world and his interaction with customers on daily basis as a small business owner would serve him well as Register of Probate. Besides his business and educational background, Gottlieb believes he has another important attribute essential for the office.

“I’m a good listener and empathetic,” he said. “It’s a job that helps people in both their most joyous and most difficult times. I know I’d be good at helping people regardless of their circumstance.”

This is Gottlieb’s first attempt at public office. He is a Democrat.

The second write-in candidate is Ken Maguire, 77, of South Bristol. Maguire has held various management positions in both the private and public sector.

In the U.S. Navy, he managed a group of 10 sailors in the submarine service. He also worked for informational technology and applied research departments for the Honeywell International, Inc.

His education includes receiving a Master of Business Administration degree from Babson College, a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston University, and he studied physics at Middlebury College. 

As Register of Probate, Maguire wants to utilize modern technology, explore service improvements, ease the probating process, and make transparency a goal.

Maguire, a Republican, said he would’ve ran for the GOP nomination if he’d knew Fossett wasn’t running for reelection. He learned that no other candidate had taken out nominations papers four days prior to the June primary.

“I thought that’s a management position and that’s my background,” Maguire said. “I got a brand new hip recently. I’m feeling good and raring to go. I’ve been looking to get back into public service.”

Maguire is currently on the Lincoln County Planning Commission, South Bristol Comprehensive Planning Committee, and he has moderated the South Bristol town meeting since 1981. He ran unsuccessfully for county commissioner in 2004.

The third write-in candidate is Catherine H. Moore, who has worked in the Office of Probate since 2006. She also worked in the Register of Deeds office.

Moore is a 1989 graduate of Lincoln Academy. She received an associate degree in business from Mid-State College in Augusta. Moore decided to run after learning that Fossett wasn’t seeking another term.

Moore believes her eight years as Probate Clerk and as Deputy Register since June 2014  makes her Fossett’s logical successor.

“I’m running because I’m the best qualified candidate,” she said.

Fossett agrees with her assertion. He asked her to run for the office and officially endorsed her write-in candidacy.

This is Moore’s first time running for elected office. She previously served on the Jefferson planning board and board of appeals. She is a Republican.

On Election Day, voters will have to write-in their choice for Register of Probate. Only ballots marked for one of the three who officially registered with the state will be counted, according Deputy Secretary of State Julie Flynn.