Hundreds of Democrats across Lincoln County gathered Feb. 3 and 4 for statewide biennial caucuses to organize for the 2024 elections, hear from candidates, and conduct committee business.

Organized by the Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC), local committees and the Maine Democratic Party, this year’s caucuses included elections for local committee officers, delegates to the state party convention in Bangor May 31 to June 1, county committee membership and other committee business. Participants also signed petitions and made $5 contributions to help Democratic candidates qualify for the ballot and Clean Elections funding. 

Democrats in attendance also donated nearly 200 pounds of food and household items to the LCDC’s Food Pantry Project. That effort, which launched in June 2022, has collected thousands of pounds of items for food pantries across the county.

Caucus organizers spoke with attendees about this year’s theme, “Your Vote, Our Democracy,” and the importance of mobilizing for the November elections. They helped new voters complete voter registration cards for town officials to process, signed up volunteers, and Democrats in 18 towns in Lincoln County reconnected and made plans for the coming year.

“There was so much enthusiasm at this year’s caucuses, with many new faces and longtime friends. It really is grassroots organizing at its best,” said Kelli Whitlock Burton of Waldoboro, who serves as LCDC chair. “Folks are really excited about working to elect people who will protect our democracy and enact policies and legislation that lift up all Mainers.”

Maine law requires that political parties hold municipal caucuses every two years. In previous years, municipal caucuses included presidential caucus votes. But Maine switched to a presidential primary in 2020. 

This year’s presidential primary election will be held Tuesday, March 5, in towns across the state. Absentee ballots may be requested now at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/absentee. 

LCDC’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. and will feature Bev Uhlenhake, chair of the Maine Democratic Party, and a 2024 campaign preview, including introductions to Democratic candidates who have filed papers for county, state and federal office. LCDC meetings are held via Zoom during the winter months. The group’s typical hybrid meetings, which include both in-person and Zoom options, will resume in April. 

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