Important Dates and Election Information
- Deadline to register to vote by mail or online: Tuesday, Oct. 15
- Deadline to request an absentee ballot: Thursday, Oct. 31
- Deadline to vote an absentee ballot in person: Thursday, Oct. 31
- Deadline to return an absentee ballot received by mail: Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m.
- General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Voting at a Glance
- Voter registration: The deadline to register in advance is Tuesday, Oct. 15. You can also register on Election Day at your municipal clerk’s office and at many polling places. To check your registration status, contact your local municipal election official.
- Absentee voting: All registered voters can request a no-excuse absentee ballot.
- In-person absentee voting: You can vote early in person by casting an absentee ballot at your local municipal clerk’s office.
- Voting in person on Election Day: Polls open between 6 and 10 a.m., depending on the location, and close at 8 p.m. Find your polling place using the state’s Voter Information Lookup Service.
Recent Voting Changes in Maine
- Voters 65 years or older, or those with a disability, may now apply to be on a permanent list to automatically receive absentee ballots.
- As of January, voters can register online.
How to Register to Vote
When you provide proof of citizenship while applying for, renewing, or updating your driver’s license or ID card at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branch by Tuesday, Oct. 29, you’ll be automatically registered to vote unless you opt out.
- Online: Use the state’s Online Voter Registration Service portal. You must provide a Maine driver’s license, state ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- By mail: Download and complete a voter registration application, then mail it to your municipal clerk’s office.
- In person: Pick up an application at your municipal clerk’s office, city hall, a BMV branch, or a voter registration drive. Return the completed application by mail or in person to your municipal clerk.
Online applications must be received by midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Applications delivered by mail or in person must be received by close of business on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Registering to Vote on Election Day
You can register on Election Day at your local municipal clerk’s office and many polling places. The deadline for registering to vote in person is 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Check Your Voter Registration Status
To check your registration status, contact your local municipal election official.
How to Request an Absentee Ballot
Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot starting Monday, Aug. 5. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Oct. 31. Here’s how to request one:
- Online: Use the state’s Absentee Ballot Request portal.
- By mail: Print an application from the Absentee Ballot Request portal and mail it to your local municipal clerk’s office.
- In person: Visit your local municipal clerk’s office to vote absentee in person without needing to complete an application.
State officials recommend requesting your ballot at least 15 days prior to Election Day.
Returning Your Absentee Ballot
Election officials must receive your completed ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- By mail: Send your completed ballot to your local municipal clerk’s office. It’s recommended to mail it at least seven days prior to Election Day.
- In person: Deliver your ballot to your local municipal clerk’s office, or deposit it in a local absentee drop box if available.
Use the state’s Absentee Ballot Request portal to track the status of your absentee ballot.
Voting In Person Before Election Day
You can vote early by casting an absentee ballot at your municipal clerk’s office. Absentee ballots will be available by Monday, Oct. 7. The deadline to vote absentee in person is Thursday, Oct. 31.
Voting at the Polls on Election Day
Polls open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., depending on the location, and close at 8 p.m. Use the state’s Voter Information Lookup Service to find your polling place.
Voter ID Requirements on Election Day
You don’t need to provide an ID if you’re already registered to vote. If you register to vote at the polls on Election Day and don’t have an approved ID, you’ll be allowed to cast a “challenged ballot,” which will be treated as a regular ballot. If a race is close enough to be affected by challenged ballots, the state’s Supreme Judicial Court will decide whether those ballots are valid.
Voting with a Disability
Any registered voter can designate someone to request and receive an absentee ballot on their behalf by completing a written application and having the assistant sign it.
If you need assistance with your absentee ballot, a voter may receive help from someone as long as that person is not an employer or union official.
Voters with disabilities who find it difficult to complete a paper ballot can request an accessible electronic ballot using the Absentee Ballot Request portal. The accessible ballot can be completed at home with screen-reader technology and returned by email. Find more information on the secretary of state’s website.
Each polling place is equipped with an Accessible Voting System (AVS) for voters with disabilities. You may also receive help at the polling place from an election official or a person of your choice, provided that person is not an employer or union official.
