Voting in Maine

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Election Dates

11/07/2023
General Election Date
11/07/2023
Voter Registration Deadline (in-person)
10/17/2023
Voter Registration Deadline (by mail - received)

Vote By Mail Deadlines

11/02/2023
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
11/07/2023
Deadline to Return Ballot (Received By)

Early Voting Dates

10/06/2023
Early Voting Begins
11/02/2023
Early Voting Ends

Polling place hours: Opens between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m.

Register to Vote
Frequently Asked Questions

Maine Board of Elections Phone Number: (207) 624-7736

Maine Board of Elections Website

Having trouble at the polls?

Call or text: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Register to Vote in Maine

Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!

Am I Registered?

Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.

Vote By Mail

Request and track

Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in Maine.

Vote By Mail Deadlines

11/02/2023
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
11/07/2023
Deadline to Return Ballot (Received By)

How Vote By Mail Works in Maine

Voting by mail is a two step process in Maine.

Step 1: Request your ballot NOW. The deadline for your application to be received by mail or in person is November 2nd at 5 p.m.

  • You may request your ballot here.

Step 2: Complete and return your ballot ASAP.

  • Return in person to your local elections office on or before November 7th at 8:00 p.m.
  • Or stamp and mail your ballot to your local elections office so that it is received by November 7th. We recommend mailing your ballot at least two weeks before as the post office is not always reliable. The best intentions or postmark will not matter if your ballot is received after November 7th - your ballot will not count.

Click Here to See Your Ballot

Where to Sign Your Ballot

Remember to sign your return ballot.

After you complete your ballot, sign the ballot envelope on the "voter signature line" on the outer flap of the envelope.

Be sure that your signature matches your signature on file with the state! If you registered online or at the DMV, check the signature on your license. If the signature does not match, your ballot could be tossed and will not count.

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

If you return your ballot by mail, you must add a stamp when mailing in your ballot. You can also return your ballot via commercial delivery services, such as FedEx or UPS (at your expense).

You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office, or drop box.

Can Someone Else Return Your Ballot For You?

Any designated person can drop off a ballot for you. This person must return your ballot within two days of receiving it from you.

Haven't used your ballot?

If you have an absentee ballot that you are not going to use, or you miss the deadline to return it, you may go to your polling place and vote in person. Bring your unused ballot and turn it in at your polling place.

Opportunities to Fix Challenges to Your Ballot

Maine does offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot.

Your state has a cure period, which means you can “cure” a challenge to the signature on your ballot if it was done incorrectly. must cure the ballot as soon as you are notified. The deadline for corrections is 8:00 pm on Election Day.

Your local elections office is required to contact you and give you options to remedy your ballot. You may get a call from a number you do not recognize with a notification that you need to cure your ballot. Be sure to pick so you don’t miss your chance to make sure your vote is counted.

Voter ID

Do Voters Need ID?

Maine voters do not need to show ID at the polls, except for first time voters who did not include ID information on their voter registration form such as driver’s license number or last four of their social security number.

  • Current Photo ID OR
  • Copy of utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document including check that show’s voter’s name and address

Voter ID in Maine

Find Your Ballot

Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.

Primaries

Automatic Registration

Your state automatically registers people to vote at their address of record when they interact with certain state agencies. If you have moved, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.

Election Day Registration

You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.

In-Person Absentee Voting

In-Person Absentee Dates

10/06/2023
Voting Begins
11/02/2023
Voting Ends

You can vote in-person absentee in Maine

In Maine, you can vote in person at your local elections office with an absentee ballot from the time that ballots are ready until 3 business days before the election. You'll request, fill out, and return your ballot during your visit.

Preregister

Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.

In Maine, you can preregister to vote if you are 16. Register to vote today!

Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!

You can vote in the Maine primaries if you are 17 by the next election.