Election Results from MDI towns and Trenton
Nov 05, 2025
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The 1932 Criterion Theatre.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—A citizens’ initiative in Southwest Harbor that called for testing of soil contaminants for any property within a half-mile of anywhere the state has deemed “an uncontrolled site” prior to any land use that requires permitting resoundingly passed, Tuesday, along with all the local initiatives that went before Mount Desert Island region towns this November election.
Southwest Harbor voters passed the soil standard changes 554-187. There were 49 blank ballots and 790 in the town voted, November 4.
“I am pleased to announce an incredible turnout for the November 4 election!” Town Clerk Jennifer LaHaye said. “We had a bit over 50% of our total registered voters participate in this election! At the start of the election this morning, I had 1,429 registered voters. We processed about 15-20 new voter registrations today. Thank you to all the ballot clerks and staff who helped make this day run smoothly and efficiently.”
The town’s planning board had a split recommendation over the soil standards referendum.
Within Southwest Harbor, the only site considered “uncontrolled” by the state is the Worcester Associates landfill property, which is in between Long Pond and the Marshall Brook Road and began in the 1930s with an open burning dump that was used by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and then the town. It has polluted ground water in the area.
The Coastal Waters and Harbor Ordinance, Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance, Ordinance Banning the Sale of Potentially Intoxicating Hemp Products, and Ordinance Establishing a Retroactive Moratorium on Tobacco Specialty Stores all passed by substantial margins.
OTHER SOUTHWEST HARBOR RESULTS
STATE QUESTIONS
Question #1 (Election Laws)
Yes – 199
No – 588
Blank – 2
Question #2 (Weapons Prohibition)
Yes – 583
No – 205
Blank – 1
SOUTHWEST HARBOR LOCAL QUESTIONS
COASTAL WATERS AND AND HARBOR ORDINANCE
Yes – 532
No – 190
Blank – 68
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES ORDINANCE
Yes – 533
No – 180
Blank – 77
ORDINANCE BANNING THE SALE OF POTENTIALLY INTOXICATING HEMP PRODUCTS
Yes – 436
No – 330
Blank – 24
RETROACTIVE MORATORIUM ON TOBACCO SPECIALTY STORES
Yes – 448
No – 304
Blank – 38
BAR HARBOR RESULTS
Bar Harbor had multiple land use amendments before voters and all passed.
The total number of registered voters (as of close of business November 3) was 4,633. Voter turn-out was 49.6%.
The total number of ballots cast for state questions was 2,307.
STATE QUESTIONS
Question #1 (Election Laws)
Yes – 342
No – 1,961
Blank – 4
Question #2 (Weapons Prohibition)
Yes – 1,879
No – 415
Blank – 13
BAR HARBOR LOCAL ARTICLES
The total number of ballots cast for town questions was 2,297
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
Yes – 1,893
No – 278
Blank – 126
CAPACITY LETTERS
Yes – 1,871
No – 280
Blank – 146
SITE PLAN AND SUBDIVISION PLAN
Yes – 1,761
No – 377
Blank – 159
SHORELAND ZONING
Yes – 1,955
No – 217
Blank – 125
TREMONT RESULTS
Tremont voters approved changes to the Temporary Sales Ordinance, Official Zoning Map, and Shoreland Zoning articles.
There were 640 ballots cast.
STATE QUESTIONS
Question #1 (Election Laws)
Yes – 203
No – 436
Question #2 (Weapons Prohibition)
Yes – 407
No – 230
TREMONT LOCAL ARTICLES
TEMPORARY SALES
Yes – 349
No – 254
OFFICIAL ZONING MAP AND ZONE CRITERIA
Yes – 395
No – 207
SHORELAND ZONING AND MULTIPLE ARTICLES
Yes – 373
No – 225
TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT
Number of registered voters: 1797 (does not include voter changes from 11/4/2025)
Total number of ballots cast: 930 (Referendum)
STATE QUESTIONS
Question #1 (Election Laws)
Yes – 142
No – 786
Blank – 2
Question #2 (Weapons Prohibition)
Yes – 736
No – 190
Blank – 4
No local issues.
TOWN OF TRENTON ELECTION RESULTS
STATE QUESTIONS
Question #1 (Election Laws)
Yes – 209
No – 376
Total – 585
Question #2 (Weapons Prohibition)
Yes – 346
No – 239
Total – 585
No local issues.
STATE BALLOT QUESTIONS:
QUESTION 1: (Election Laws)
“Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?”
As of Wednesday morning, the question failed with approximately 62% of the voters voting against the initiative.
QUESTION 2: (Weapons Prohibition)
“Do you want to allow courts to temporarily prohibit a person from having dangerous weapons if law enforcement, family, or household members show that the person poses a significant danger of causing physical injury to themselves or others?”
As of Wednesday morning, the question passed with approximately 62% of the votes for the initiative.
TURNOUT
According to a Bangor Daily News’ story by Michael Shepherd and Annie Rupertus, “Nearly 145,000 voters requested absentee ballots ahead of Election Day, which was 30,000 more than the total from the 2023 election that decided several referendum questions. Democrats filed more than 50% of those requests to just 21% of Republicans, which was the biggest gap in Maine since the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped voting.”
The duo also quoted Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, writing, “In-person turnout looked to be higher in cities and towns that had competitive local elections.”
As of 6:30 a.m., November 5, 366,176 votes had been counted and 92% of Maine towns had reported their results.
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