Maine General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:06 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:26 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
Maine offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Maine by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Maine allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. Maine offers in-person absentee voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- There is in-person absentee voting in this election. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: request your absentee ballot online by Oct 29.
- Visit the Maine website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Call your local election office to make sure that you’re registered to vote.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Maine’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Contact the Maine Secretary of State to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
Can I register to vote online?
- Maine offers online voter registration.
- To register online in Maine, you need to provide at least ONE of the following: Maine driver’s license number, Maine state ID card number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you don’t have a Maine driver’s license, Maine state ID card, or Social Security number, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Maine's site.
Can I vote in-person absentee?
- Yes, Maine does offer in-person absentee voting. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. In-person absentee voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about in-person absentee voting in Maine.
- In-person absentee voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Maine’s site to find where to vote by in-person absentee.
What do I need to bring?
If you've voted in Maine before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide a copy of your ID when you registered, you may need to show one of these documents to vote.
Acceptable forms include:
- Maine driver's license
- Maine state ID card
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address when you registered
Voters without ID: If you don't have ID or proof of residence, you can cast a challenged ballot. You may be asked to provide ID after the election for your ballot to count. Initially, all challenged ballots are counted in the same manner as regular ballots. If a recount occurs and it is determined that challenged ballots may impact the outcome of the election, local election officials must then determine the eligibility of these ballots.
Watch this video about voting in person from the Maine Secretary of State.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Maine does offer early voting, which in Maine is called in-person absentee voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the in-person absentee voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- In Maine, dates and times vary by where you live. Contact your local election office for more information about when to vote absentee in person.
Where can I vote early?
- In-person absentee voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Maine's site to find information about where to vote.
- You can also contact your local election office for more information about where to vote absentee in person.
What do I need to bring?
If you've voted in Maine before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide a copy of your ID when you registered, you may need to show one of these documents to vote.
Acceptable forms include:
- Maine driver's license
- Maine state ID card
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address when you registered
Voters without ID: If you don't have ID or proof of residence, you can cast a challenged ballot. You may be asked to provide ID after the election for your ballot to count. Initially, all challenged ballots are counted in the same manner as regular ballots. If a recount occurs and it is determined that challenged ballots may impact the outcome of the election, local election officials must then determine the eligibility of these ballots.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Maine voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Maine, you must provide your valid Maine driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: In Maine, you should register with the party whose primary election you would like to vote in. If you do not register with a party, you can still vote in a primary election by choosing one political party's ballot.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your municipality and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the Maine Secretary of State website.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
Watch this video about by mail registration from the Maine Secretary of State.
You can also register to vote using the Maine voter registration form.
Watch this video about by mail registration from the Maine Secretary of State.
How do I vote by mail?
In Maine, any registered voter can request to receive a ballot by mail. Request your absentee ballot online by Oct 29.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- Contact your local election office for more information about where to return your ballot in person.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Yes, Maine allows voter registration on Election Day. Contact your local election office for more information and when and where to register on Election Day.
Watch this video about election day registration from the Maine Secretary of State.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Maine allows voter registration on Election Day. Contact your local election office for more information and when and where to register on Election Day.
- Learn more by visiting the Maine Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
Watch this video about in person registration from the Maine Secretary of State.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In-person at local election office on Election Day : Nov 3
- Online : Oct 13 by 5:00 p.m. EDT
- By mail (received by) : Oct 13 close of business
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 29 close of business
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. EST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. EST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
If you've voted in Maine before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide a copy of your ID when you registered, you may need to show one of these documents to vote.
Acceptable forms include:
- Maine driver's license
- Maine state ID card
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address when you registered
Voters without ID: If you don't have ID or proof of residence, you can cast a challenged ballot. You may be asked to provide ID after the election for your ballot to count. Initially, all challenged ballots are counted in the same manner as regular ballots. If a recount occurs and it is determined that challenged ballots may impact the outcome of the election, local election officials must then determine the eligibility of these ballots.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Maine Secretary of State website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Maine you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a resident of Maine and the municipality in which you want to vote
- be at least 16 years old (you must be at least 18 years old to vote, except that you may vote in a primary election if you are 17 and will be 18 by the General Election)
Watch this video about who can register to vote from the Maine Secretary of State.
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your state election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your state election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your state election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your state election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your state election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your state election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Maine. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
Maine does not offer an online registration lookup tool. To confirm your voter registration status and details, contact your local election office.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Maine, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Maine. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.