MAINE VOTES 2022
Countdown to Nov. 8:
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Tuesday, November 8, 2022 is the last day for Mainers to cast their ballots. All registered Maine voters can vote early by mail or at their town office, or at the polls on Election Day.
Who's on the ballot?
U.S. House
Maine Governor
Find a comparison of LePage and Mills track records on 8 key issues, created by the economic policy experts at MECEP Action, at Maine Behind the Numbers.
Maine Legislature
Every seat in the Maine Legislature will be on the Nov. 8 ballot.
- Candidates for the Maine House of Representatives
- Candidates for the Maine Senate
County Offices
The November ballot will include candidates for county-level offices around the state, including county commissioner, probate judge, register of probate, and sheriff. Learn more about what these officials do from the Maine County Commissioners Association. A list of all candidates can be found here.
GUIDES & SCORECARDS
VOTER RESOURCES
- Vote in Maine
Maine Dems’ voter resource - Vote 411
League of Women Voters’ resource - Know Your Rights: Voting
ACLU of Maine’s voter resource - TurboVote
App that helps you register and sends reminders to vote - Vote Smart
Create side-by-side comparisons of any candidate
TAKE ACTION
REGISTER TO VOTE All US citizens at least 16 years old with established residence in Maine can register to vote by filling out a voter registration card at your town office or city hall, through any Motor Vehicle branch office, in most state & federal social service agencies, or at voter registration drives. You can also print the card and submit it by mail with the appropriate identification. Maine does not offer online voter registration. Those registering in-person can do so right up to election day. Those registering by mail must have their registration card and identification documents received by Oct. 18. Learn more about the identification documents required for first-time voter registration in Maine.
VOTE All registered Maine voters who will be at least 18 years old on election day can vote early by mail or in person at their town office, or in-person on Election Day.
Vote early by mail: Absentee ballots can be requested online now or by calling or visiting your town office. Ballots can be returned by mail or in-person at your town office, your town’s drop box, or at your polling place on Election Day. No matter how you return your absentee ballot, it must be received by 8pm on Election Day, and the back of the ballot envelope must be signed. Late and/or unsigned ballots will not be counted. Once requested, you can track your absentee ballot online.
Vote early in-person: Also referred to as “in-person absentee voting,” this takes place at your town office between Oct. 9 and Nov. 3.
Vote at the polls on Election Day: Your assigned polling place will be open until 8pm on Tuesday, November 8. Absentee ballots can also be brought to your polling place. If you requested an absentee ballot, please use it. You cannot vote at the polls if you have already returned an absentee ballot.
GET OUT THE VOTE Direct contact with voters is the best way to increase voter participation and make a real impact on this election. You can either work directly with the candidates and their campaigns, or support one of many Maine advocacy organizations in their Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts. Pick one from the list below and make a plan today!
How do I...
Register to vote?
You may register to vote in Maine if you are:
- a U.S. citizen
- will be at least 18 years old by election day
- a resident in the town where you intend to register and vote
Eligible people can register to vote by filling out a voter registration card at your town office or city hall, through any Motor Vehicle branch office, in most state & federal social service agencies, or at voter registration drives. You can also print the card and submit it by mail. New voters must provide ONE of the identity documents below to the town clerk or send a copy if registering by mail.
- Government-issued ID: Valid Maine Driver’s License, U.S. passport, birth certificate, military identification, other valid photo ID, or a signed Social Security card
- Other official documentation: Current utility bill, bank statement, lease, paycheck stub, or other government document that shows the voter’s current name and address.
NOTE: You only need to provide ONE item from the above list to register to vote in Maine.
For the Nov. 8 election, mailed voter registration forms and documentation must be received by your town clerk by Oct. 18. You can register in person at your town office any time, including at the polls on Election Day.
Find more information about registering to vote from the League of Women Voters of Maine.
Register online?
Maine does not have online voter registration.
Vote if I recently moved?
If you’ve moved within the same municipality, you need to notify your clerk to change your address. If you’ve moved to a different municipality, you need to re-register with the clerk in your new municipality. Find contact information for your local municipal election official here.
If you’re new to Maine, you’ll need to register as a new Maine voter. Look at the tab above for more information on how to register to vote.
Vote if I changed my name?
You must use your legal name to vote. If you legally changed your name since the last time you voted, you must update your registration with your town clerk. Find contact information for your local municipal election official here.
Check my voter registration?
To verify your voter registration information, call your local municipal election official.
Register if I am a college student?
Provided you meet the state’s residency requirements (which include dorms), Maine law allows students attending college in Maine to register and vote in the town where you attend college, even if you pay “out of state” tuition. Learn more from the Maine Voting Residence Fact Sheet.
If you are a resident of Maine attending college in another state, you may vote by absentee ballot.
Register voters?
If your group or organization would like to register voters, a representative must complete a Voter Registration Card Request Form. Read the state’s Voter Registration Card Distribution Policy. Contact the Secretary of State’s office for more information at 207-624-7736.
Register on election day?
Maine has same-day registration, which means you can register to vote at your polling place on election day. You will need to bring ID and proof of residency in the town in which you are voting. Find more information on the Maine Secretary of State website.
Register if I'm experiencing homelessness?
You can register at the address of a homeless shelter you frequent, a location where you usually park or have a tent, or a park bench. If you don’t have a document that shows you are eligible to vote, you can take a sworn statement at your clerk’s office or at the polls.
Find resources for accessible voting?
Maine offers multiple ways for people with disabilities to cast their ballots, including an accessible absentee ballot.
Every polling location in Maine will have the Accessible Voting System (AVS), a ballot-marking device that allows individuals with disabilities to vote with privacy and independence. You can also bring a family member or friend to help you vote.
You can also find answers to other questions about voting access and rights for people with disabilities in this Portland Press Herald article.
If you have questions or concerns regarding voting access in Maine, visit Disability Rights Maine or call their voter hotline at 1-800-452-1948.
Know which races are ranked choice?
For the general election on November 8, ranked choice voting will only be used for US House races and certain municipal elections in Portland and Westbrook.
Ranked choice voting is NOT used to determine the Governor or Maine Legislature in the general election.
Ranked Choice races always have three or more candidates. Voters rank candidates in the order of their preference: first choice, second choice, third choice, and so on. Determining the winner follows the same process as a run-off election, but voters don’t have to return to the polls. Learn more about Ranked Choice Voting in this fabulous video from the Secretary of State, or from the League of Women Voters.
Suit Up Maine is an independent, all-volunteer grassroots progressive group that seeks to build a more informed and engaged electorate in Maine. Founded in 2016, Suit Up Maine is run by and for Mainers, and is not engaged in fundraising of any kind. Representing thousands of constituents across Maine’s 16 counties, Suit Up Maine raises awareness of and advocates for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. Suit Up Maine is beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians.
