Absentee voting has begun in Brunswick for the school budget referendum, a Region 10 Technical High School referendum and the state primaries. Here’s what to expect on the local ballot.

SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGET

Voters will be asked if they approve the Brunswick School Department’s spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

On Monday, Brunswick’s Town Councilors officially approved the town budget, which combines municipal, school and county expenses. As in previous years, education is the largest contributor to the total town budget.

The school budget totals more than $61 million this year, bringing a 2.7% tax rate increase. Taking into account the municipal and county tax assessments, residents can expect to see a 5.2% tax hike on their property bills if approved.

The school board made $2 million in cuts to land on the current budget proposal. These include eliminating eight employee positions: two administrative assistants, one custodian, three positions in ESOL (English for speakers of other languages), one high school teacher and one technology support role. The board also opted to use more than $100,000 in state aid to reduce the tax burden.

A sample school ballot and a breakdown of costs are available on the town clerk’s webpage.

REGION 10 REFERENDUM

Voters will also receive a ballot for Region 10 Technical High School, which serves students from communities across the Midcoast.

The ballot question would allow Region 10 to issue roughly $116,000 in bonds for safety improvements to the school building, including upgrades to the fire alarm system and upgrades to the main entrance.

Region 10’s cooperative board plans to use the state’s School Revolving Renovation Fund Program, which forgives about half of the debt and allows Region 10 to repay the rest at 0% interest.

A sample ballot for Region 10 is also available online.

STATE PRIMARIES

Sample ballots are also available for all three legislative districts covering the Brunswick area.

Democratic voters will weigh in on the U.S. Senate primary — which is almost certain to confirm Graham Platner as the nominee to face Sen. Susan Collins — and both parties will rank their choices for governor.

Republicans Joshua Pietrowicz and Ron Russell will face off in the Republican primary to take on U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree. Pingree is not facing a Democratic primary challenge.

The primaries for State Senate District 23 are uncontested, with Bernard Porter of Harpswell running on the Republican side and current Senate President Mattie Daughtry, of Brunswick, seeking reelection on the Democratic side.

The state legislature primaries in Districts 99, 100 and 101 are also uncontested.

In District 99, Republican Braeden Webber has challenged incumbent Rep. Cheryl Golek. In District 100, the primary will set up a race between incumbent Democratic Rep. Dan Ankeles and Brett Barrett. In District 101, Rep. Poppy Arford, a Democrat, will seek reelection against Ravi Jackson.

Democrats will also weigh in on several county spots, including sheriff, district attorney and county commissioner.

ABSENTEE VOTING

The days to pick up a ballot, register to vote or absentee vote in-person at Brunswick Town Hall are as follows:

• Tuesday, May 12 – Thursday, May 14, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Monday, May 18 – Thursday, May 21, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, May 26 – Thursday, May 28, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Monday, June 1 – Wednesday, June 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• LAST DAY: Thursday, June 4, from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters can also request absentee ballots by calling the clerk’s office or by mailing in an absentee application. Absentee ballots for the state elections only can be requested online. The last day to vote absentee in person at Town Hall is June 4. More information is available on the town of Brunswick website.

On Election Day, voting will be held at the Brunswick Recreation Center on Neptune Drive.

Those with questions can contact the town clerk’s office at (207) 725-6658.