Groups Host "Meet Your Candidates" Event for Cumberland County District Attorney

Portland – The ACLU of Maine, League of Women Voters of Maine and Westbrook Community Center are hosting a “Meet Your Candidates” event featuring the two candidates for Cumberland County district attorney tonight, September 27, at 7:00 p.m. at the Westbrook Community Center.

While district attorneys hold an incredible amount of power and influence over local criminal justice policies, research shows that many voters have little understanding of what DAs do. Polling also shows that a high percentage of voters do not go down the ballot to vote for district attorney.

The event is non-partisan and intended to offer information about where candidates stand on key issues. The ACLU of Maine has also launched a website, DAforME.com, with information about the power of district attorneys and questionnaires filled out by several candidates for DA across the state.

The following quotes can be attributed as noted:

Alison Beyea, executive director, ACLU of Maine: “District attorneys make decisions that impact all of us. Their views on criminal justice policy set the tone for how our communities respond to societal issues. They help decide whether our communities lock kids up, whether we treat people fairly, and how we spend our limited tax dollars. If you care about any of these things, you should care about who gets elected DA.”

Barbara Kaufman, co-president, League of Women Voters Portland Area: “Our mission has always included educating voters on the issues of the day and the candidates who hope to address them. This is a big election with a lot at stake. Cumberland County has had the same district attorney for nearly 30 years. We all need to learn what this important position does and how these particular candidates think about their role in addressing the issues surrounding criminal justice.”