Democrats in Lincoln County and all across Maine will gather for biennial caucuses Feb. 3 and 4 to begin organizing for the 2024 elections, hear from candidates, and conduct local committee business.

Every two years, political parties in Maine are required by state law to hold municipal caucuses, which are open to all registered Democrats who live in that town. In addition to hearing from candidates and organizing for this year’s election, Democrats will also elect local committee officers, elect local delegates to the Maine Democratic State Convention (held in Bangor May 31 to June 1), and conduct other local committee business. 

Candidates running for local, county and state office are invited to speak and collect signatures for their nomination papers. Those running for state office may also collect $5 qualifying contributions for Maine Clean Elections funding.

“Our Democratic caucuses are grassroots organizing at its best, with neighbors and fellow Democrats in towns across the state coming together to hear from candidates, organize for this very important election year, and conduct important town committee business,” said Kelli Whitlock Burton, chair of the Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC). “With democracy on the ballot in November, these caucuses have never been more important than they are this year.”

LCDC will also collect items for the organization’s Food Pantry Project, which has collected thousands of pounds of food and household and pantry items for food pantries around Lincoln County. Requested items include paper towels, toilet paper, coffee and tea, hot/cold cereal and canned soups. 

Information on each town’s caucus is listed below and online at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/caucus. Be sure to arrive on time to check in and find a seat to hear the candidates speak. In the event of a weather-related cancellation, all caucuses will be held one week later at the same times and locations. 

Democratic Caucuses, Saturday, Feb. 3

• 10 a.m.– noon: Towns in House District 62, including Somerville, China, Palermo, Vassalboro, and Windsor will meet at the Windsor Town Office (2nd Floor), 523 Ridge Rd., Windsor
• Noon–2 p.m.: Towns in House District 46, including Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, and South Bristol from House District 48 will meet at Great Salt Bay Community School, 559 Main St., Damariscotta
• 2–4 p.m.: Towns in House District 47, including Alna, Jefferson, Whitefield, and Wiscasset will meet at Wiscasset Elementary School, 83 Federal St., Wiscasset
  
  

Democratic Caucuses, Sunday, Feb. 4

• Noon–2 p.m.: Westport Island will meet at Old Town Hall, 1217 Main Rd., Westport Island
• 2–4 p.m.: Towns in House District 48, including Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, and Southport will meet at Boothbay Region High School, 236 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. (This event is not sponsored by the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School district, nor does it necessarily represent the values and opinions of the Board of Trustees, the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor School Committee, or the school community at large.)
• 4–6 p.m.: Dresden will meet at the Pownalborough Hall, 314 Patterson Rd., Dresden
• 4–6 p.m.: Towns in House District 45, including Bremen, Waldoboro, Friendship, and Washington will meet at Miller Elementary School, 145 Kalers Cr St./Rte. 32, Waldoboro

Maine’s presidential primary election will be held Tuesday, March 5. Absentee ballots may be requested now at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/absentee.

Complete information about the caucuses, LCDC, its meetings, and other activities can be found at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com. Questions can be emailed to info@lincolncountydemocrats.com.