A write-in campaign could determine the Lincoln County register of probate, with no candidates on the ballot for this fall.
Incumbent Lincoln County Register of Probate Chester Fossett, R-Boothbay Harbor, and Ken Maguire, R-South Bristol, intend to file as write-in candidates with the Maine Department of the Secretary of State.
Fossett, Lincoln County’s register of probate since 1987, was considering retirement this year. He now plans to launch a write-in campaign, he said in a phone interview June 13.
Neither Republicans nor Democrats fielded a candidate in the primary election June 10.
“This is something new to me and Lincoln County,” Lincoln County Administrator John O’Connell said. “It’s an unusual situation.”
Maguire began a write-in campaign for the Republican nomination a few days before the primary after realizing there were no candidates on the ballot, he said in a phone interview June 12.
“If I knew Chester wasn’t seeking re-election, I would have filed,” said Maguire.
Despite his last-minute telephone campaign, ballot clerks did not tally votes for Maguire because he did not file his intention to run as a write-in candidate 45 days prior to the primary, Maguire said.
Maguire would not have to pay $10,000 for a recount to determine if he received the 300 votes necessary to win the primary, he said.
He is not likely to receive 300 votes, considering the low turnout, Maguire said. To request the recount would be a “fool’s errand,” he said.
“Ten thousand dollars is a lot of money to bet in the primary,” Maguire said. The money would be better spent on a write-in campaign for the general election in November, he said.
Maguire said he plans to file his intention to run as a write-in candidate with the secretary of state, which would ensure votes for him are counted in the general election.
“I want to get back into public service,” Maguire said.
Maguire chairs the South Bristol Republican Committee and moderated South’s Bristol town meetings for 33 years. He is also a non-voting member of the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission.
Registers of probate are responsible for the administration of probate court records, which include matters of adoptions, guardianships, conservatorships, name changes, appointments of personal representatives, wills, and other matters.
