Absentee voting is now open for the Nov. 3 municipal and state elections in Biddeford and Saco. Mainers statewide will chime in on state legislative races and high-profile elections for governor and U.S. Senate.

In Saco, residents will decide on various local races, including City Council, school board and mayor. (To learn about the school board races, click here.)

There are no local races on the ballot in Biddeford — voters will only decide on state candidates.

Here’s what’s you need to know:

City Council, Ward 2

Voters in Ward 2 will choose from two candidates for one three-year seat on the City Council: Joshua Parks and Trevor Nason. Ward 2 covers the area closest to Scarborough, including Saco Heath Preserve.

Joshua Parks. (Photo courtesy of the candidate)

Parks, the incumbent, is serving his first term on the council; he also serves as deputy mayor. He is a lifelong Saco resident and produce associate at Hannaford with an educational background in political science.

In his responses to the Press Herald Voter Guide, Parks said his priorities include fighting for the best interests of his ward and continuing work on reducing the budget so residents don’t feel priced out of their community.

He also highlighted the increasing threat of data centers and said he supports small, strategic development in the city rather than large-scale projects.

Nason did not respond to the voter guide survey.

City Council, Ward 3

Two candidates are vying for the Ward 3 seat on the City Council: Sandra Guay and John Shannon III. Ward 3 covers much of Route 1.

Guay, an attorney, was appointed to the council in August to fill a vacancy after the previous councilor, William Doyle, stepped down. She has lived in Saco for 30 years and has served on several committees in the city during that time. Her priorities include balancing commercial and residential development, supporting residential opportunities for people of all income levels, and traffic safety.

Shannon, a youth services supervisor at Biddeford’s McArthur Library, is a lifelong resident of the Biddeford-Saco area. This is his first time running for office.

In his responses to the Press Herald Voter Guide, Shannon said his top priorities if elected are: creating responsible growth that expands housing and economic opportunity, building strong infrastructure, and encouraging an accessible, collaborative local government.

City Council, Ward 7

Incumbent Nathan Johnston is running uncontested for reelection to the Ward 7 seat. Ward 7 covers downtown Saco.

A lifelong Saco resident with several relatives in community roles, Johnston has served on the City Council for 10 years. According to his social media pages, Johnston is a strong supporter of education, economic development and infrastructure.

Mayor

Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail is running uncontested for a second term. She was first elected in 2023.

Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail. (Photo courtesy of the candidate)

In an August news release announcing her candidacy, MacPhail said her achievements as mayor so far include creating a consistent and stable environment for staff, working with the City Council on key initiatives, working closely with the school department and investing in local projects.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Saco,” she wrote. “We are all finally getting the upgrades we deserve, and I intend to fully see them through.”

Voters in Biddeford and Saco are tasked this with choosing their state representatives in two Senate districts and four House districts.

In Senate District 31, which includes Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Buxton, voters will choose between incumbent Democrat Donna Bailey and Republican challenger Scott Eccleston.

In Senate District 32, which includes Biddeford, Lyman, Hollis, Dayton and Arundel, voters will choose between incumbent Democrat Henry Ingwersen and independent Jason Litalien.

In two of the state House races, the Democratic incumbents are running unopposed: Marshall Archer in House District 129, which includes the southwestern portion of Saco, and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau in District 132, covering much of downtown Biddeford.

In House District 130, covering northern and coastal parts of Saco, Democratic incumbent Rep. Lynn Holland Copeland is facing a challenge from independent Todd Davis.

And in House District 133, covering the rest of Biddeford, incumbent Democrat Marc Malon faces independent Marc Lessard, a member of Biddeford City Council.

Voters across York County will also weigh in on a referendum that would abolish a county treasurer position and elect a sheriff. Incumbent Sheriff William King, a Democrat, is seeking a fifth term and is facing Republican challenger David Corbett. Independent Brian Pellerin dropped out of the race after ballots were printed; he was recently hired as Wells’ new police chief.