City of Lewiston Question 1: Syringe service program ordinance changes (citizen initiative)
What does this measure do?
This changes Lewiston's city law on needle exchange programs so people must turn in one used syringe for each clean one, with a cap of 20 a day. Programs could run from only one fixed site, with no mobile units in the city, so program users get fewer syringes and fewer places to get them.
Read the official ballot measure
Proposed by: Citizen petition led by former city councilor Eryn Soule and resident Marcel LeClair
Residents led by Soule and LeClair. Soule is a former city councilor who was stuck by a used needle at work. LeClair runs needle cleanups. They want fewer used needles left in public places.
Source: wgme.com
A YES vote means
Programs must swap one used syringe for each new one and give out no more than 20 per person a day. Each program gets one site (now up to two), and no mobile units may operate in the city.
A NO vote means
The current city law stays. It sets no city cap on how many syringes a program gives out, lets the one licensed provider run up to two sites, and does not license mobile units.
Campaign Finance Information
Campaign Finance Information
Largest donors supporting
No large donors reported.
Largest donors opposing
- Maine Recovery Action ProjectAddiction recovery advocacy nonprofit in Augusta, Maine$29,443
Filings as of October 6, 2026 · Source: lewistonmaine.gov
Sources: lewistonmaine.gov23 · spectrumlocalnews.com
Sources: lewistonmaine.gov23