A proposal before the charter commission would allow all residents of legal voting age the right to participate in local races, but questions remain about the legality and impact on a vulnerable population.

The elections will fill the District 5 and two at-large seats now open on the school board.

Portland would be the first municipality in the state to have a clean elections program. A public meeting is set for Tuesday.

A special election could be held as early as April to fill the three vacancies or the city could wait until the next regularly scheduled election in June.

A city review found a 45-vote discrepancy between ballots counted on Election Day and during a hand recount, but the outcome of the election remains unchanged.

Proposals such as universal basic income and participatory budgeting, where neighborhoods make some of their own spending decisions, could gain traction.

The legal fight has been going on since the city blocked a ballot question in 2019.

Brandon Mazer conceded the race after a recount.

The process was to continue Wednesday morning, with 37 ballots still disputed.

Opponents of a new 208-bed shelter say they will no longer try to stop it and will instead focus their efforts on housing, rather than sheltering, the homeless.

Roberto Rodriguez, the losing candidate, immediately said he would ask for a vote recount.

The town completed the process and voted to leave, but did not have enough votes to validate it.

But the vote to free the town from enforcing a ban on tearing it down does not necessarily mean the owners will be allowed to do so to rebuild it.

The unofficial result means the city likely will be able to move forward with its plan to build a 208-bed homeless services center without a legal battle.

City officials said Sarah Thompson can't formally withdraw from the race because the city charter requires candidates to sign a pledge to stay in the race.

A commercial real estate agent and a local developer have formed a ballot question committee to support Option C, which would allow the city's 208-bed homeless services center in Riverton to move forward.

Mayor Misha Pride is challenged by longtime school board Chairman Richard Matthews in District 3, and former councilor Linda Cohen faces human rights leader Margaret Brownlee in District 4.

Biddeford has undergone a transformation since bringing down its trash incinerator. But the city's popularity is pricing people out.

Political newcomers Louis "Roo" Dunn and Tim Pratt are vying for one open seat, while Mary Ellen Bell is running uncontested for another.

The tension that has been building in recent years between an energized, aggressive progressive movement and more moderate city officials seems to have spiked in the last week.

A political newcomer is taking on a longtime Portland resident and former elected official for a seat on the Portland City Council representing the West End and Parkside.

Joseph Bruno, Dana Desjardins and Abigail Geer are running for a three-year term on the Raymond select board.

Officials' interpretation of the minimum wage ordinance approved by 62% of voters last week runs contrary to organizers' intent, their attorney says.

Question E on Portland's municipal ballot, which would prohibit non owner-occupied short-term rentals, lost by only 222 votes, making it the only referendum defeated by voters on Nov. 3.

The confusion about whether it takes effect next month or in January 2022 stems from the wording of the ordinance.

A similar measure was soundly rejected 3 years ago, but on Tuesday 58% of voters supported the change. Still, critics say it won't help affordable housing.

Yusuf Yusuf won a three-way race for an at-large seat with 55 percent of the vote.

The only citizen referendum rejected by the voters was one that would have further restricted short-term rentals in the city.

An election marked by a deadly pandemic, deep polarization and record-setting absentee voting will come to a close Tuesday, but some races may not be decided for days.

East District incumbent Brett Jones faces challenger Harrison Deah, and Mark Morrison and Bob Muir will square off for the at large seat.

Tammy Walter, R-Cape Elizabeth, is challenging state Rep. Christopher Kessler, D-South Portland.

Key areas of debate include Scarborough's significant residential growth and its effect on public services, schools and infrastructure.

Mayor Kate Snyder says two initiatives on the Nov. 3 ballot could lead to additional cuts in city services.