Published on September 04, 2020

07/27/2020 - Updated September 4, 2020

Nominating petition status as of 09/4/2020:

* Petition signatures verified will appear on the November 3, 2020 ballot.

* *Cape Elizabeth and South Portland petition signatures verified for Portland Water District, name will appear in the Nov. 3 ballot

Nomination papers for the Nov. 3, 2020 municipal election are available from the town clerk beginning Monday, July 27.

Two seats on the Town Council and two seats on the School Board are up for election. They are currently held by Councilors Valerie Adams and Christopher Straw; and School Board members Mohammed Shir and Hope Straw. All are three-year terms to expire Dec. 11, 2023. 

Candidates wishing to take out and/or return nominating petitions are asked to call the town clerk's office for an appointment, 207-799-7665. Papers are due before 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.

In addition, a five-year term on the Portland Water District Board of Trustees representing Cape Elizabeth and South Portland is up for election on Nov. 3. Cape Elizabeth residents seeking nomination must obtain and file petitions in both communities. (See manual on trustee candidacy from the Portland Water district website). In Cape Elizabeth, 35-50 signatures are required from Cape Elizabeth voters; and deadline for returning petitions to the Cape Elizabeth town clerk is 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. For South Portland deadlines and requirements please see the South Portland website. 

Town Clerk Debra Lane recommends candidates  allow more time to collect the required 25 signatures for nomination, as there are less crowds and fewer people gathering due to COVID-19 concerns. Candidates may want to wear a mask, and perhaps gloves, when seeking signatures. Asking residents to use their own pens when signing is another safeguard during these times.

Here is a summary of the 2020 municipal election dates and deadlines for Cape Elizabeth Town Council and School Board:

ELECTION DAY
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020
CEHS Gym or Cafeteria
Polls Open 7 am Close 8 pm 

NOMINATION PAPERS AVAILABLE 
MONDAY, July 27, 2020
Town Clerk's Office Open
Monday 7:30-5
Tue - Fri 7:30-4

Candidates are asked to call the town clerk's office at 207-799-7665 to schedule an appointment to take out papers.

NOMINATION PAPERS DUE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020
Town Clerk's Office 4:00PM

Candidates returning papers are asked to call the town clerk's office at 207-799-7665 to schedule an appointment.

SEATS AVAILABLE
TOWN COUNCIL
VALERIE A. ADAMS term until 12/14/2020
CHRISTOPHER M. STRAW term until 12/14/2020

SCHOOL BOARD
MOHAMMED N. SHIR term until 12/14/2020
HOPE E. STRAW term until 12/14/2020

QUALIFICATIONS
*Registered Voter of Cape Elizabeth
*Residency Required During Term of Office

SIGNATURES REQUIRED TO BE NOMINATED FOR OFFICE

Between 25 and 100 registered voters of Cape Elizabeth. The voter may sign as many nomination papers for each office as the voters chooses, regardless of the number of vacancies to be filled.

NOMINEE MUST APPEAR IN PERSON, PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE, TO COMPLETE THE NOMINATION PAPERS.

SIGNS
Each candidate is encouraged to contact the Town Clerk prior to erecting political signs. The town's sign ordinance, Chapter 21, limits the size and placement of temporary signs in Cape Elizabeth.

OFFICE HOURS
The Town Clerk's Office is staffed Monday 7:30 - 5:00 and Tuesday through Friday 7:30 - 4:00, and open to the public by appointment only during the COVID-19 emergency. The Town Clerk may be reached at debra.lane@capeelizabeth.org or 207-799-7665.