Maine News Updates

SOUTH PORTLAND -- A heavier than expected turnout in South Portland led to a shortage of ballots this afternoon.

The city clerk has responded by sending more than a thousand photocopied ballots to polling places throughout the city.

Susan Mooney, the city clerk, had anticipated a 60 percent turnout, but the 11,000 or so official ballots began running out at about 5:30 p.m.

It wasn't clear if the state questions or a local referendum on dogs at Willard Beach was driving the turnout.

The photocopied ballots are official but can't be counted in the scanning machines. Mooney expects the need to hand count so many ballots will mean results won't be available until after 10:30 tonight.

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