Editor’s note: This article was updated Nov. 17, 2025, with new information regarding the timing of Tyanne Giambusso’s resignation and departure.
Despite the resignation of South Berwick’s town clerk less than two weeks ago, the clerk’s staff is well trained and prepared to handle the Nov. 4 election process, according to Assistant Town Manager Jennifer Janelle.
This year for the first time, the local voting site will be the Marshwood High School gymnasium, where polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. next Tuesday. That election location has been made permanent, said Janelle, because it provides a better venue in terms of capacity, safety, parking, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“We are very confident that everything will proceed smoothly,” said Janelle. “Our staff, Monique Ward and Kim Desrochers, have both been trained in elections, and both were working during the June election. Monique was also here for the Presidential Election last November.”
“Our staff is cross-trained to be ready for the unforeseen,” she said, adding that the town also has a dedicated crew of volunteer election workers who assist with elections year after year.
In this election cycle, the unforeseen was the departure of former clerk Tyanne Giambusso, who told the Reporter that on Oct. 16 she gave two weeks’ notice of her resignation but was not allowed to stay until the date she intended, Oct. 31.
Ward, the deputy clerk since January, was appointed interim clerk last week pending a replacement search. Deputy clerks are fully trained in all aspects of running the clerk’s office, according to Janelle.
A town clerk’s most weighty responsibility is overseeing the entire local election process, from voter registration to certifying final results. They work closely with the Maine Secretary of State’s office, local officials, and election workers to ensure compliance with all federal, state and local election laws.
The deadline for requesting a voter’s absentee ballot is Thursday, Oct. 30, and the request must be received at the clerk’s office in Town Hall by the end of the business day, 6 p.m. Thursday.
Absentee voters may either vote in the clerk’s presence by requesting a ballot and using the voter booth in the clerk’s office, or they may fill out an absentee ballot application and take the ballot with them.
Absentee ballots can be returned to the secure dropoff box near the Town Hall entry door until 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3. On Election Day Tuesday, they must be delivered to the polling location at Marshwood High School, 260 Dow Highway, before 8 p.m.
