Waldo County Democratic Committee

06/02/2026

https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/personal-growth-not-disqualification-public-life/270873

Over the last few days, in reading about issues Graham Platner brought to the first couple of years of his marriage, something felt immediately familiar to me — something I’ve experienced and witnessed in hundreds of others.

05/29/2026

🍩🗳️ DONUTS + DEMOCRACY this Saturday!

Join us at the Waldo County Democratic Committee Office (22 Searsport Ave, East Belfast) starting at 9:30 AM for a morning of good "food", great people, and getting out the vote!

Come meet TWO incredible candidates:
✨ Madison Cook – running for House District 39 (Northport, Belfast & Belmont)
✨ Shenna Bellows – candidate for Governor of Maine

Here's the plan: grab a donut 🍩, meet Madison and Shenna, get prepped, then hit the streets to canvass Belfast together. No experience necessary — just bring your energy and enthusiasm!

RSVP to [email protected] so we know to save you a doughnut. 😄

See you Saturday! 🌟

05/24/2026

Excellent explanation of ranked choice voting!

Secretary Dunlap explains the voting and tabulation process for ranked-choice voting in the State of Maine. Updated for the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election.

05/24/2026

.The Co-op has already donated $5,000 to the Emergency Relief Fund established by Maine Strong Memorial Foundation, but we want to do more — and we know our community does too.⁠
⁠
Through June, we will match donations made at the Co-op up to $2,500. To donate, look for these cards at checkout or simply tell your cashier how much you’d like to give, and it will be added to your total. Every contribution, no matter the size, will support healing and recovery efforts for those impacted.⁠
⁠
All donations will be sent directly to Maine Strong Memorial Foundation, which is working closely with the town of Searsmont to support the community during this time.

On Friday, May 15, a devastating fire and explosion occurred at the Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont.⁠
⁠
An immense emergency response from across the region rushed to the scene. Tragically, one brave firefighter, Andrew Cross, lost his life, and 11 other individuals, including first responders and mill employees, sustained serious injuries. As a vital part of our local family, the impact of this tragedy is felt by every one of us.⁠
⁠
The Co-op has already donated $5,000 to the Emergency Relief Fund established by Maine Strong Memorial Foundation, but we want to do more — and we know our community does too.⁠
⁠
Through June, we will match donations made at the Co-op up to $2,500. To donate, look for these cards at checkout or simply tell your cashier how much you’d like to give, and it will be added to your total. Every contribution, no matter the size, will support healing and recovery efforts for those impacted.⁠
⁠
All donations will be sent directly to Maine Strong Memorial Foundation, which is working closely with the town of Searsmont to support the community during this time.

05/21/2026

Time Magazine puts Graham on the cover.

The Democrats' hopes in November hinge on the scandal-plagued Senate candidate

05/17/2026

This is a very good explanation of how organizing works and how essential it is.

05/16/2026

Tonight, 70 Maine voters came together for an Election Security Forum with Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Waldo County Democratic Committee Chair Paige Zeigler called for a moment of silence to reflect on the lives upended by this morning's devastating explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont. In an act of spontaneous community generosity, attendees donated nearly $600 to support the affected families. Those funds will be directed to a reliable giving channel as soon as one is established — we'll share that information when we have it.

In the meantime, one of the most immediate ways you can help is to donate blood. Please find a local blood drive and give if you are able.

05/15/2026

UPDATE: Tonight's Election Security Forum with Secretary of State Shenna Bellows will go forward — and all donations collected at the door will go directly to support the families impacted by today's tragic explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont. Hope to see you there.
📍 Troy Howard Middle School, Belfast
🕡 Friday, May 15 | 6:30–8:30 PM
💵 Suggested donation $5 — support for families impacted by the Robbins Lumber explosion
Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/mainedemslocal/event/948094/

05/15/2026

Our hearts are with the workers, families, and first responders affected by this morning's explosion and fire at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont.

Robbins is one of Waldo County's largest employers, and the people hurt today are our neighbors. Firefighters, mill workers, and emergency responders from across the Midcoast have responded with courage and care.

Waldo Hospital in Belfast and Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport are receiving patients. Please keep the area around Route 131 and both hospitals clear so emergency personnel can do their work.

State House District 40 Representative Mike Ray and State Senator Chip Curry are already engaged and will help identify ways our community can support those affected. We'll have more information at this evening's forum about what we can do to help in the days and weeks ahead.

"It was just chaos everywhere," said one Robbins employee who was at the emergency room in Belfast said.

05/14/2026

Nellie-the-chocolate-labradoodle and her pack have been practicing ranked choice voting for years. (Nellie is always #1. The others know their place.) They asked me to share some tips with Maine friends!

First, you have a great opportunity to get real answers from the official whose job it is to oversee Maine’s elections. Attend our election security forum with Secretary of State Shenna Bellows this Friday evening May 15 in Belfast. Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/mainedemslocal/event/948094/

Back to Ranked Choice Voting — it’s actually designed so that voting honestly is the smartest strategy. Here’s what that looks like:

✅ Rank your genuine favorite #1 — always. No need to second-guess this.
✅ Then rank the rest in honest order of preference, #2, #3, and so on.
✅ Rank as many candidates as you can. If your top choices are eliminated, your vote keeps counting down your list.

The big myth to bust: you can’t hurt your favorite by ranking others below them. Your lower rankings only kick in after your higher-ranked candidates are already out.

The one time electability matters: if you’re truly indifferent between two candidates and one has a much better shot at beating someone you really don’t want to win, rank the more electable one higher. But if you have a real preference, follow it — especially since we really don’t know who is electable until they win!!

Bottom line: rank your true favorite first, then rank honestly, and rank as many as possible. The system is designed to reward sincerity! 🗳️