Dear Editor:

Tactical voting, sometimes called bullet or single-shot voting, is both manipulative and dishonest, and should have no place in local elections. I am referring to a recent letter entitled “I like Mike,” which advised voters to “cast one vote for Mike and leave the other blank.”

The concept is simple: if A, B and C are vying for two seats, and B/C are incumbents (Harmon and Lewis), those who want A (Pander) elected, should not vote for B or C because that would lessen A's chances of getting elected.

Regrettably, “bullet voting” is perfectly legal, and the only way to neutralize it is to increase local voter turnout, which is usually at a meager 20-25 percent level. As a Boothbay taxpayer, I am asking that every loyal lifetime resident of Boothbay get to the polls, and vote for the two candidates that make the most sense for the future of the great town of Boothbay. If you do not want your beloved Boothbay to become like bankrupt California and Connecticut towns, then you know exactly whom not to vote for with your two ballots.

Phil Molvar

Southport