Maine

WHAT IS A BALLOT DEFECT?

A defect is an issue with the absentee/mail ballot certificate envelope that could prevent the ballot from being counted. Common defects include:

• The voter’s signature is missing
• The voter’s signature does not match the signature on file
• The affidavit or witness certificate on the return envelope is incomplete or not properly completed

DOES THE MUNICIPAL CLERK HAVE TO NOTIFY THE VOTER OF THE DEFECT?

Yes. If the voter provided contact information, the municipal clerk must notify the voter of the defect within one business day. The clerk must attempt to contact the voter by phone and leave a voicemail if the voter does not answer. If the voter provided an email address, the clerk must also notify the voter by email.

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Local election information is collected by League volunteers and may not be complete. If you don't see your local ballot, you may still have an election - please contact your town clerk

Information on local, state and federal candidates and ballot measures may be available here.

What is a ballot drop box?

A drop box is a secure, locked structure operated by election officials where voters can deliver their absentee ballot any time, day or night.

Are drop boxes available in my state?

Yes, drop boxes are available in Maine. 

Where can I find ballot drop box locations?

Many, but not all, municipalities have a drop box. Drop boxes are usually located outside the municipal office building. Dropbox locations will be posted by the Secretary of State.

Can I track the ballot after placing in the drop box? 

No, you can not track your ballot after placing in the drop box.

Early Voting (in-person absentee voting) Starts: 30 days before Election Day 

Early Voting (in-person absentee voting) Ends: 3 business days before Election Day

Can I vote before Election Day in Maine?

Yes. Maine allows in-person absentee voting (early voting) before Election Day.

Who can vote early in Maine?

Any registered voter in Maine may vote absentee in person. You do not need an excuse to vote absentee.

When can I vote early in Maine?

In-person absentee voting begins 30 days before Election Day. It is available until the Thursday before Election Day, though hours vary by municipality. Contact your municipal clerk for exact dates and times.

Where can I vote early in Maine?

You may vote early at your municipal clerk’s office. Some municipalities may offer additional hours or locations.

Contact your municipal clerk to confirm availability, hours, and location details.

The next election date can be found here https://www.vote411.org/maine.

Contact your local Board of Elections for more information.

All polls open between 6am and 10am until 8pm.

You can find your polling place by utilizing your state resource.

If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact your Municipal Clerk

WHO CAN REGISTER TO VOTE IN MAINE? 

To register to vote in Maine, you must: 

• Be a US citizen
• Be at least 16 years old (you must be at least 18 to vote in a general election; 17-year-olds may vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election)
• Have established a voting residence in a Maine municipality  

WHO CAN VOTE IN MAINE? 

 You can vote in Maine if: 

• You are a registered voter
• You are at least 18 years old on or before Election Day
• 17-year-olds may vote in primary elections as long as they will be 18 by the time of the general election
• You have established a voting residence in Maine
• Voters like students, military members, overseas citizens, incarcerated individuals, and those without traditional housing can vote in Maine if they meet residency requirements. 

CAN I VOTE IF I HAVE A FELONY CONVICTION? 

Yes. In Maine, having a felony conviction does not affect your right to vote. Even if you’re currently incarcerated, you can vote as long as you register using the address where you lived before being incarcerated. 

CAN I REGISTER AND VOTE IF I DON’T HAVE A TRADITIONAL ADDRESS? 

Yes. If you are experiencing homelessness or living in a shelter, you can register to vote in the Maine municipality where you currently reside, even if your address is non-traditional, like a park bench or another physical location. You can give a physical description of where you live, under oath, to the municipal clerk instead of showing typical residency documents. A mailing address is not required. 

AM I REQUIRED TO SHOW ID TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN MAINE? 

Yes, if you're registering to vote for the first time in Maine, you must show proof of identity and residence.  

WHAT TYPES OF ID CAN I USE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN MAINE? 

You can use any of the following to prove your identity and residence: 

To register online: 

You must have a Maine driver’s license or state ID and your name, date of birth, and address must match the BMV records. 

To register in person or by mail: 

• A government-issued photo ID like a Maine driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or tribal ID 
• A government ID document/credential without photo (i.e. certified birth certificate or signed Social Security card) 
• An official document showing your name and Maine address, such as: 
• Utility bill 
• Bank statement 
• Paycheck 
• Government check 
• Document proving eligibility for public benefits 
• A student photo ID from a state-approved public or private school or institute of higher education in Maine 
• Your Maine driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number (if verifiable) 

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE THE REQUIRED ID WHEN I REGISTER? 

If you don’t have the standard documents, you can still register by: 

• Providing a sworn written statement (under oath) describing your place of residence 
• Submitting any other documents that help prove your identity and/or residency 
• If you’re homeless or displaced, you do not need a mailing address, and you can describe your residence (like a park or shelter) under oath to the municipal clerk 

If you're trying to register online but don’t have a Maine driver’s license or state ID, you won’t be able to use the online registration system. Instead, you must register using a paper form and provide identity/residency documentation as described above. 

Voters can call or text 844-338-8743 at any time to reach VoteRiders Voter ID Helpline 

Official results are never available on Election Day. Election officials are working around the clock to count an unprecedented number of ballots, and it’s essential that they take the time to make sure every vote is counted.

Official election results will be uploaded on Maine’s Secretary of State website as they become available.

Maine overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can register to vote and request an absentee ballot on the Maine Secretary of State’s website. 

What does a poll worker do in Maine?

Poll workers in Maine help ensure elections run smoothly, securely, and fairly. Duties may include:

• Setting up and closing the polling place
• Checking in voters and verifying eligibility
• Monitoring the voting machines or ballot box
• Helping tally results

What qualifications do I need to be a poll worker in Maine? 

To serve as a poll worker in Maine, you must generally:

• Be registered to vote in Maine
• Be at least 16 years old
• Be a resident of the municipality or county where you will be serving
• Not be a candidate or a member of a candidate’s immediate family
• Attend all training required by the municipal clerk

Are poll workers paid in Maine?

Poll workers in Maine may be paid for their service, depending on the municipality. Compensation rates are set locally and can vary based on location and the length of the workday. Contact your local elections official to learn more. 

How do I apply to be a poll worker in Maine?

To sign up to serve as an election worker in Maine, please contact your town office/city hall and speak with the municipal clerk.

You can find your polling place by utilizing your state resource.

If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact your Municipal Clerk

Maine now has semi-open primaries. If you are registered with a political party, you can only vote in that party’s primary. If you are not registered with a political party (unenrolled), you can choose which party’s primary to vote in. You may only vote in one party’s primary.

This applies to both presidential and state primaries.

If you want to change your party affiliation, you must do so at least 15 days before Election Day.

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)

Maine uses a ranked choice voting system for Presidential Primaries, State Primaries, and General Elections. To find out more about ranked choice voting click here.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

If your eligibility to vote is questioned on Election Day, you are allowed to cast a challenged ballot. A challenged ballot must be counted the same as a regular ballot. The validity of a challenged ballot need not be determined unless it affects the results of an election.

WHAT VOTING ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES?

Voters may ask for help at all steps of the voting process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes help requesting, obtaining, marking, reading, and returning their ballot. 

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requires that all polling places for federal elections have a machine for voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently mark their ballots. The State of Maine requires this machine for all state elections. This machine in Maine is called the, “Accessible Voting System.” 

HOW DOES THE ACCESSIBLE VOTING SYSTEM (AVS) WORK?

The AVS is a ballot marking device. A voter will mark their ballot using the touch screen or braille keypad. The voter may change the size and color of the font and listen to the ballot through headphones, changing the volume. The voter will then print their ballot and place it in the tabulator, like all other voters using paper ballots. The AVS is not connected to the internet.

HOW DO I ASK TO USE THE ACCESSIBLE VOTING SYSTEM?

At the check-in table in the polling place, say to the poll worker, “I would like to use the Accessible Voting System.” The poll worker will escort you to the machine and make it ready for use. If the AVS is not set up, not working, or not available, please call the League of Women Voters of Maine Election Hotline at 207-558-3333.

HOW DO I REQUEST AN ACCOMMODATION OR REPORT ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES?

If you have any questions about receiving help in voting, please ask the clerk or warden at the polling place.

CAN I VOTE BY MAIL BECAUSE OF MY DISABILITY?

Yes. All registered voters can apply to vote absentee. 

For more information, you can utilize the American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) resource.

Maine allows voters to vote using Ranked Choice Voting for all state-level primary elections, and in general elections ONLY for federal offices, including the office of U.S. President. Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank the candidates in the order of their preference. 

How does Ranked Choice Voting work?

• Voters rank candidates in the order of their preference: first choice, second choice, third choice, and so on.
• When all the ballots are counted, if one candidate gets more than 50% of the first choice votes, they win.
• If no candidate receives more than 50% of first choice votes, the candidate with fewest votes is considered defeated.
• Voters who ranked the defeated candidate as their first choice have their votes counted for their second choice.
• This is repeated until only two candidates remain. The one with the most votes wins.

What do I need to register to vote in Maine? 

Here is what you need to know to register in Maine: 

There are three methods of voter registration in Maine: register in-person, register online, or email a printable application to the Maine Secretary of State. 

Can I register to vote using my college address in Maine? 

Yes, if you consider your campus address your residence, you can register to vote there. If you move to a different dorm or off campus, be sure to update your voter registration with your new address so you vote in the correct district.  

What’s the deadline to register to vote in Maine? 

Maine requires voters to register at least 21 days before the election. Be sure to check the exact date each year. 

What form of ID do I need to vote in Maine? 

A Maine voter is not required to show identification. However, if you are voting for the first time, you may be asked to show a form of identification when you go to the polls. This can include a driver’s license, passport, student ID from a state-supported college, or other accepted forms. 

I’m originally from another state, can I still vote in my home state while studying in Maine? 

Yes, you can vote in your home state using an absentee ballot, but you'll need to follow your home state's rules and deadlines. You can find the rules for your state on VOTE411 or by contacting your state’s election office. 

Does registering to vote affect my financial aid, parents’ taxes, and/or tuition in Maine? 

Registering to vote in your college community will not affect your Federal Financial Aid, status as a dependent on your parents’ taxes, or tuition status. 

Does Maine require employers to give time off to vote?

No. Maine law does not require employers to provide time off to vote. 

Polls in Maine are open for extended hours on Election Day and no-excuse absentee voting is available before Election Day. If you need time off to vote, check with your employer about their policies.

To verify your voter registration status, contact your

DO I NEED TO SHOW ID WHEN I VOTE IN MAINE?

No. If you are already registered to vote in Maine, you do not need to show ID to receive your ballot and vote. However, if you are registering to vote on Election Day, you must provide proof of identity and proof of residency.

WHAT TYPES OF ID CAN I USE IN MAINE?

If you are already registered to vote, you do not need to show ID to vote. If you are registering to vote on Election Day, you must provide proof of identity and proof of residency. Acceptable forms include:

A government-issued photo ID, such as:

• Maine driver’s license
• State ID card
• Valid U.S. passport
• Military ID
• Student ID
• Tribal ID

A government-issued document without a photo, such as:

• Certified birth certificate
• Signed Social Security card
• A document showing your name and current address, such as:
  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Government check
  • Paycheck
  • Documentation showing eligibility for public benefits

A verified unique identifier, such as:

• Maine driver’s license number
• Last four digits of your Social Security number

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE AN ACCEPTABLE ID WHEN I GO TO VOTE?

If you are already registered to vote, you do not need ID to vote.

If you are registering on Election Day and do not have acceptable identification, you can still vote using a provisional ballot. You may be asked to provide identification after the election to confirm your registration.

If you believe you are eligible to vote and are denied a provisional ballot, call the League of Women Voters of Maine Election Hotline immediately at 207-558-3333 for assistance.

Online registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day

Register by mail deadline: Received 21 days before Election Day

In-person registration deadline: Election Day

Not registered? Use our online registration tool to complete your application! 

WHAT TYPE OF VOTING MACHINES DOES MAINE USE?

Maine uses the DS-200 tabulator to scan and tabulate the votes from paper ballots. The DS-200 does not have the capability to connect to the internet. It is certified by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

HOW DOES MAINE COUNT THE BALLOTS? 

When the polls close, the election warden produces the tabulated count of votes from the machines. This must be done in the presence of a poll worker who is a member of a different political party. In other words, when the vote totals are printed, announced, and checked, it is done by one Democrat and one Republican.

Do all municipalities use the machines?

No. Some municipalities hand count ballots.