Albanian election sees old rivals, new parties and an ambitious promise of European Union membership
TIRANA, Albania — Prime Minister Edi Rama is seeking a fourth term as Albania's prime minister in a general election on Sunday, after taking on his political nemesis in a boisterous campaign dominated by the country's uphill effort to join the European Union .
Rama's Socialist Party says it can deliver EU membership in five years, sticking to an ambitious pledge while battling conservative opponents with public recriminations and competing promises of pay hikes.
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Turnout appears light in most places as Mainers head for school budget votes, local elections
Jun. 10—When poll workers opened the doors to Buxton Town Hall at 6 a.m. Tuesday, there were two voters waiting in line. A third arrived shortly after. It was a vastly different scene from November, when dozens of people waited in a line that stretched down the sidewalk and around the side of the building. Despite the slow start, Town Clerk John Myers was hoping at least 1,000 of the town's 6,200 registered voters show up Tuesday. "Anything over 1,200 would definitely be unusual. They'd probably be sending a message if we get that many," he said as the poll workers manning check-in tables waited for the next voter to come in. Polling places across Maine are open Tuesday to allow voters to weigh in on school budget proposals and, in many communities, elect local officials. All polling places will be open until 8 p.m. Maine allows same-day voter registration. Turnout was expected to be relatively small in most places for the off-year election, but some communities with controversial ballot questions or budget proposals could see a steadier flow of voters. "Local election turnout is always fairly slow, so we expect fairly light turnout today," Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said Tuesday morning after visiting three polling locations: in Manchester, Hallowell and Augusta. Bellows said the election seemed to be going smoothly, with no reports of issues inside polling places. She did receive one complaint about a petitioner in Lincoln who did not have legislation attached to their petition, as required by state law, for a people's veto. (Bellows said that petitioner was reminded of the law.) "All in all, it's a good day for an election, and we encourage everyone to vote," Bellows said, noting local elections are sometimes the most fun because people are voting for their neighbors and making decisions about their own communities. WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT? In most towns and cities, voters will get the chance to approve or reject their school districts' proposed budget. That process is largely uneventful in most communities, but in several towns, the lead-up to the vote has been more intense. Gorham residents are voting on a $57.5 million school spending plan that is up $4 million from last year, when the budget was approved by just four votes. In 2023, voters rejected two versions of the budget before approving the third. Signs with messages like "raise test scores, not taxes" have popped up around town urging voters to reject the budget. Other signs around town call on residents to vote yes on the budget, with messages like "adequate funding, quality education." In Cape Elizabeth, voters will be considering an $86.5 million bond to build a new middle school and renovate the elementary school after twice rejecting larger bond proposals. Proponents of the project say the school buildings have reached the end of their useful life and are not well-suited to modern-day learning. Opponents want the district to focus on renovations rather than rebuilding and take issue with the school board continuing to propose building project referenda after voters have rejected them in the past. Many smaller towns across Maine elect town council, select board and school committee members in June. In Buxton, there are competitive races this year for the board of selectmen, planning board and budget committee. All candidates for MSAD 6 school board seats are running unopposed. Two candidates, Cassidy Lacroix and Jayne Sawtelle, are running for one at-large school board seat in Portland. Waterboro voters will decide on an article to appropriate $200,000 for contract deputies, an increase not supported by the board of selectmen or the budget committee. SCHOOL FUNDING A HOT TOPIC Despite the rain, a consistent flow of voters turned out across Gorham on Tuesday to vote on the proposed school budget. The $57.5 million spending plan has garnered attention from activists on both sides, which could signal a close outcome. The proposal, approved unanimously by both the school committee and town council, represents a $4 million increase from last year. Election warden Susan Emerson reported that more than 400 residents had voted at the Gorham Middle School polling location before noon Tuesday. "It has been a topic of conversation, so I thought it might be busy," Emerson said. The Gorham Watchdogs, an organization dedicated to "tracking local government and school board decisions," has been a vocal advocate against the budget leading up to the election. The group's concerns, which include increasing taxes and strain on older residents, were echoed by some voters at the middle school. "We're seniors on a limited income, and approving the school budget is not right for us," said Melissa Arehart, 82. "We might feel differently if we had children in the district, but we don't." Margaret Oliver, 80, has lived in town since 1972 and worries that another increase in taxes could price some citizens out of the town. "I support our schools, but you're going to price us right out of Gorham," she said. "What are young people going to do if they want to buy property here?" For others, voting for a tax increase is a sacrifice they are willing to make. Magda Alden, who has children in the district, said she voted yes to support students and teachers. Bruce Webb, 82, raised two children who graduated from the Gorham district and supported the budget. "People helped pay for our children's education; we should help pay for theirs," he said. Polling places in Portland had fewer voters than anticipated, even for a summer election. As of lunchtime, the Woodfords Club had seen 151 voters, while Deering High School had only tallied 102. Stu Tisdale, a warden at Deering High, said he had expected low turnout but that Tuesday was "as close to zero as I've ever seen." Many Portland voters who did come out said they did so to support a friend or neighbor running for school board, or simply because they never miss a chance to vote. Others wanted to voice their opinions on the $171 million school budget. "It really feels like the current version of the Republican Party is counting on people being stupid and uneducated and noncritical thinkers," said resident Alan Lovell. "So, I will always vote in favor of education." While many viewed the school budget as a means to fund education, voter Chris Paige said he has seen enough tax increases in recent years. "I think (the school department has) to look at everything and say, 'Taxpayers are getting sick of it,'" he said. "We have take all our hard-earned money and fund all these programs, but yet we don't see hardly anything for it. We're not getting our money's worth." At Scarborough High School, though, turnout was higher than usual for a June referendum, officials said. Some residents there felt that they didn't have enough information about what would be included in the town's school budget proposal, prompting them to vote against it. "They tried to pull a fast one on us," said Mark Lanonit. "There was no reference to what the impact of the budget would be, so I voted no. If this vote passes, I think it should be fought in court." Others didn't share those concerns. "I believe in funding schools," said Ellen Tighe, a former teacher. "I don't know if I could say what is too much or too little, but if the school board says this is what we need, then I vote for it." In Lisbon, voters are weighing a proposed school budget that would raise the amount of funding that comes from property taxes by almost 8%. Some told a reporter that they feel the school budget is their only chance to have a direct say in their taxes. "I'm trying to keep my taxes down. I hate to vote against the school budget," Charles Peerboom said. "It's gonna cost some people their homes. It's going to price people out of the town." Deb Duhamel, a retired employee, also voted against the budget. "Why in the hell should I be paying school tax when I don't have students in school? I don't agree with this at all." TURNOUT LOW IN MANY TOWNS The polls in Auburn were quiet Tuesday as residents trickled into City Hall to vote on the proposed school budget of $64.5 million. Those who came said they were happy to exercise their civic duty and to participate in their community. City Clerk Emily Carrington expected a 4% turnout for the day, noting that when ballots aren't tied to a state ballot, turnout is usually lower. By 10 a.m., 283 ballots had been processed, with 172 of those being absentee ballots. Phil Savignano said that, given his family's involvement in education — his father was a principal at Auburn's Edward Little High School in the 1960s, and his wife was a teacher — the issue has always been a concern for him. "I always think that the money spent on education is good money spent," he said. Abby Jankoviak, who recently moved to the area and voted in her first local election Tuesday, supported the budget, noting that she would love to have kids in the schools one day. "I want to invest in our children (and) I want to help support what they need so that they can succeed in the future," she said. Voters were lined up in Skowhegan when polls opened at 7 a.m., and 46 had voted by 8:15 a.m., said Town Clerk Gail Pelotte. Wendy Lumbert said she voted for Kevin Nelson and Ethan Liberty for the board of selectmen but didn't know a lot about the candidates for the School Administrative District 54 Board of Directors. "I'm a conservative, and I have just been tired of high taxes, stuff being given away," Lumbert, 66, said. "It's time to tighten the belt. I think there needs to be more diversity on the board." Gary York, 73, voted for Nelson and Liberty, saying the former would bring new blood and the latter young blood to the board. He also said he voted for Sara Smith and Julie Smith for the SAD 54 board, because they are women, "because of having an insight of children," said York, a graphic artist who has owned his own shop for 49 years. He said he voted for the women because "they are the matriarchs of society" and get things done. In Gardiner, only around 30 voters had made their way to the polls at the Boys & Girls Club on Pray Street by noon. The polls Tuesday morning were virtually empty. Election warden Deirdre Berglund said the day had been "very, very slow" so far. The only item on the ballot in the city is the $32.8 million proposed Gardiner-area school budget. The community voted to pass the proposed budget at the Regional Budget Meeting on May 27, but voters have the chance Tuesday to officially approve the budget. "A lot of people don't realize the importance of the school budget," Berglund said. "They have a voice in the matter." Staff Writers Amy Calder, Skyler Cummings, Emily Duggan, Brianna Earle, Jenene Grover, Trinity Poon and Zoe Schaedle contributed to this report. This story will be updated. Copy the Story Link
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial primary candidate who most focused on local issues has best chance to win, pundit says
The race to become the next governor of New Jersey heated up on Tuesday as voters hit the polls for the major parties' respective primaries. With Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy term-limited, six Democrats and five Republicans are now vying for the state's top job in a race that could shape the future of the Garden State. As of June 1, more than 6.5 million New Jerseyans were registered to vote, setting the stage for a high-stakes election year. According to the New Jersey Division of Elections, more than 500,000 votes have already been cast, including mail-in voting. Turnout is always a huge factor in primary battles and it's possible a crowded field could mean a winner takes as little as 20% of the vote and the candidates have to decide how manage the political divide. The Democratic candidates The candidates in the Democratic field are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill, Sean Spiller, the head of New Jersey Education Association, the state's largest teacher's union, and former State Senate President Steve Sweeney. Sherill voted Tuesday morning in Montclair, Baraka voted in Newark, Fulop cast his ballot in Jersey City, and Gottheimer cast his in Tenafly. "I did my first train station at 7 a.m. today, hit bunch of diners. Great energy," Gottheimer said of the reception he received. Dislike of President Trump vs. pocketbook issues Matthew Hale, associate professor and the MPA Program Chair for the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs at Seton Hall University, said the makeup of Democratic voters in New Jersey is more toward the center. "Democrats in New Jersey are centrist. Republicans are for the most [part] in New Jersey, they like things in the middle. You can do whatever you want as long as your yard is clean and as long as you take care of your neighbor, take care of your hometown," Hale said. The Democratic candidates have each tried to top each other in their opposition to Donald Trump, and the president has in many ways defined the race, but political experts say while national issues like immigration will be a factor, voters will likely take the local approach. "All of [the candidates] think that Donald Trump is the worst thing that has ever happened to America, so they are all gonna fight over that," Hale said. "I think pocketbook issues are really important. I think clearly Trump is gonna be part of the story and people are gonna say this one hates Trump, this one loves Trump, but give me my tax break, and how do I get that?" Hale said. Hale said the candidates know they cannot make their message only about the president. "It's just a question of, what are the other things that you're going to be talking about? Are you going to be talking about taxes? Are going to be talking about affordability? You're talking about lowering the cost of living in New Jersey?" Hale said. Voters say they want their issues addressed Voters turned out Tuesday in the hopes of making a difference. "Crime reduction, trauma-informed care. It's important to build up the morale of the community," one woman said. "Economic development is one of the top priorities on my mind," a man said. "I wanted to make sure I voted so that my community is represented by somebody who is looking out for the single moms, is looking out for the elderly, is making sure everybody is being presented and helped in the community," another woman said. The actual ballot is different this year. The so-called "county-line" ballot, which gave party favorites prominent ballot spots, is gone, giving challengers a greater chance. "The county line, we have competitive races. That's the biggest effect. I do think down the line, in the future, there could be a lot of effect. We're going to see candidates at the Assembly level, the Senate level, who are more partisan, because we don't have the county line anymore," Hale said.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
How Burlington County prepared for New Jersey primary election – new voting equipment, more locations
Tuesday is primary day in New Jersey, and many voters walked inside the Hainesport Municipal Building in Burlington County to cast their ballots Tuesday. For many, it was only a matter of minutes until they were back outside heading to their cars in the parking lot. The race with the most attention is the Democratic and Republican primary for governor. "It was just a piece of cake, just walk right in," Terry Horner said. "It was very quick, in and out," James Cosby said. "Now, it was easy peasy, they seemed to have solved a lot of the issues," Ted Costa said. This is a primary and not a presidential year or a general election, so turnout is expected to be much lower than the last election in November. READ MORE: Where do you vote for New Jersey's 2025 primary election? Find your polling location Costa said as he waited to cast his ballot for President Trump in November, he had to wait four hours before he was able to vote. Chopper 3 captured the crowds of voters stuck in line for hours in Burlington County seven months ago. From Hainesport to Medford and Evesham, voters complained about technical issues and not enough machines. CBS News Philadelphia New Jersey's attorney general also successfully sued to extend the deadline and add an extra hour of voting in Burlington County. "By the time we got in and we thought this isn't so bad, well you had to go all the way down to the back of the building then go all the way back, it was just crazy," Horner recalled. County leaders called the chaos "unacceptable" and vowed a "top to bottom review" to prevent a similar experience. CBS News Philadelphia followed up to see if any changes were made. According to a county spokesperson, several improvements have been implemented since November: Two new early voting locations were opened, bringing the county's total up to nine. Additional polling locations were added in some voting districts. New voting equipment, which includes ballot marking devices and tabulators, was purchased. Additional poll worker training was offered, and the superintendent of elections continues to offer voters tutorials on the voting equipment. More information technology workers have been deployed to polling locations to assist with tech issues and reduce response times. Cosby said the changes were obvious and very much needed. "Oh, I think it should have been addressed a long time ago," Cosby said, "but they seem to be doing a pretty good job here."
