Absentee voting is now open for the June 9 municipal and state elections in Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach.

Mainers statewide will cast votes in Republican and Democratic primaries for governor and U.S. Senate.

In Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach, residents will decide on various local races and school budgets. Republican voters will also cast ballots in the 1st District U.S. House race, which will determine whether sales consultant Joshua Pietrowicz or veteran Ronald Russell challenges incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree in November.

Here’s what to expect on the ballot in each community:

Biddeford 

York County Commissioners

The only contested local race in Biddeford is a Democratic primary for the city’s representative on the York County Commissioners. Voters will choose between Biddeford Planning Board member Roch Angers and former Biddeford City Councilor Doris Ortiz.

The District 2 commissioner covers Biddeford, Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

Charter Revision Commission 

Biddeford residents will elect seven members, one from each ward, to the newly formed Charter Revision Commission. All seven candidates are running unopposed. 

The commission, which will consist of seven members elected by voters and two members appointed by the mayor and City Council, will be responsible for reviewing the city charter and proposing changes. 

The commission will have 9 months to work on recommendations and submit a preliminary report to the City Council. 

School budget

Biddeford residents will also vote on the proposed $52.6 million school budget for the next fiscal year. 

The budget, which represents about a 6.7% increase over this year’s, was officially approved by the City Council this month.

Since its initial proposal in March, the school budget has decreased slightly, while the adopted municipal budget has been slashed by about $3 million. 

Cost drivers for the proposed school budget include staff salaries, health insurance, payroll tax and new positions, staff have said.

Saco 

School budget 

Saco voters will be asked if they approve the school district’s proposed $59.9 million spending plan for the upcoming year. 

That means the proposed spending plan is $2.7 million, or 4.74% more than last year. 

If approved, the budget would require a tax increase of almost 10%, according to Superintendent Jeremy Ray. 

The largest cost drivers for the budget include staff salaries and benefits and increases in Thornton Academy tuition, Ray said. 

Higher Thornton Academy tuition, which the city pays for on behalf of Saco residents, added $1.1 million to the budget. 

Old Orchard Beach 

School budget 

Old Orchard Beach voters will also be asked to approve their district’s proposed spending plan for the upcoming school year. 

The final $18.4 million budget proposal was approved by the RSU 23 school board this week. However, Assistant Superintendent Eric Hanson says the local share will only be $16.3 million after state subsidies. 

The proposal reflects a 4.89% increase. If the budget is approved by voters, the mill rate is expected to increase by 30 cents. That means the owner of a median $400,000 home would pay an additional $120 a year in property taxes.