A rainy Tuesday morning did not stop Boothbay Harbor voters from making their way to the polls. Town Clerk Michelle Farnham said Fire Warden Nick Upham opened the doors at 8 a.m. to a long line of people waiting to participate in the democratic process.

By 11 a.m., there were 350 counted votes — a surprise to Farnham who said the town had already received 224 absentee ballots. Town Manager Tom Woodin stood watch, breaking for a couple minutes to replenish the cookies on a table next to a giant coffee dispenser for those who just finished voting. “People get angry when the food runs out,” joked Woodin.

The "Death with Dignity” initiative was there gathering signatures to put a measure on the ballot for the next election. The measure would let doctors prescribe medications which would help terminally ill patients in dying.

Michelle Amero and Tom Minerich were also collecting signatures of Boothbay Harbor registered voters who would like to see the east side proposals go to a vote at town meeting next May. Amero sat inside at a table in front of where voters exit into the meeting room at the town office. Minerich stood out in the municipal parking lot in the rain to catch up with those who may have missed the table inside. 

“By signing this, you’re just saying you support letting the people decide on the east side zoning initiative and to please bring it to a vote,” Amero said when voters approached the table. “You’re not saying you’re voting one way or another.”