Maine Voting Guide

Welcome to FindLaw’s Maine Voter Guide. If you’re a first-time voter or new to Maine, you may have questions about the voting laws in your state. Our Maine Voter Guide will provide information on voter eligibility, voter registration, absentee voting, and other election-related topics.

If you want to participate in the election process, you need to understand your voting rights. It’s also important that you know what to do if someone violates these rights. Regardless of which political party you support, you should always be on the lookout for illegal activity at the polling places.

If you are unsure of your rights or believe someone has violated them, contact a Maine civil rights attorney. They can answer any questions you have and help you take the necessary steps to protect your rights as a citizen of Maine.

Who Is Eligible To Vote in Maine?

The eligibility requirements for voting in Maine are straightforward. You must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years of age on Election Day. Maine also has a voting residence requirement. Under Maine election law, you must also be a resident of Maine and the municipality where you are registered to vote.

Maine is one of only two states in the country that allow people with felony convictions to vote while they are in prison. Inmates can register to vote in the town where they lived before they went to prison.

While Maine election law allows people with felony convictions to vote, it does not allow people to vote if they are under guardianship due to mental illness unless specific conditions are met. Patients in psychiatric facilities can vote unless the facility’s chief administrative officer determines otherwise.

If registered, 17-year-old U.S. citizens can vote in a primary election if they will be 18 before the state’s general election.

Voting Rights in Maine

All U.S. citizens have certain voting rights. As long as you meet your state’s eligibility requirements, you should be able to vote without interference and without worrying about someone disclosing who you voted for.

Some of the other voting rights in the State of Maine include:

• Requesting a provisional ballot: If you don’t have proper registration or encounter other problems on Election Day, you can still cast a provisional ballot. You’ll need to provide a valid ID after the election for your vote to count. If you cannot provide ID, election officials will discount your ballot.
• Privacy: You have the right to vote in private. When you cast your ballot, you will enjoy physical privacy as well as confidentiality.
• Protection of your personal information: The state of Maine takes great efforts to protect your private, personal information. This includes such information as your address, party affiliation, and Social Security number.
• Ongoing absentee ballots: Any Maine voter (other than an overseas or uniformed service officer) may apply for ongoing absentee voter status. This came into effect as of December 31, 2025.
• No ID requirement: Unlike almost every other state, you do not need Voter ID to vote on election day. You just have to provide proof of identity, proof of residence, and proof of age to vote.
• Registration on Election Day: Voters can register to vote on Election Day. They do not need to do it prior to the day of the election.
• Taking time off to vote: Employers in Maine are not required to give their employees time off to vote. Polls are open early and late to accommodate workers.
• No English test: You do not have to speak English or pass an English test to vote in Maine. In addition, information is available in several languages.

Maine encourages all of its citizens to make their voices heard at the voting booth.

Where Do I Vote?

If you aren’t sure where to vote, you can check for your polling place online. You can also call your local election office or municipal building to find the polling locations and hours of operation.

Polling places are open between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.

How To Register in Maine

You must complete your Maine voter registration before you can vote in any election.

There are several ways to register to vote in Maine, including:

• In Person: You can fill out a voter registration card at your town office, city hall, at most state and federal social service agencies, or during voter registration drives
• Online: You can register online to vote in Maine through the online voting site.
• Motor Vehicle offices: You can fill out a voter registration card at any Motor Vehicle office with a valid ID card and your driver’s license number
• Register by Mail: Complete a voter registration form (either print one out or have the city hall mail you one) and mail it to your town office or city hall

Registering is a required step to cast a vote.

Do I Need a Voter ID Card To Vote in Maine?

When you vote in person, most states require that you show a valid ID. This is not the case in Maine. As long as you can provide proof of age, residence, and identity, you can register to vote.

If you register by mail, you can hand-deliver or mail your forms to either City Hall or the Department of the Secretary of State’s Office at the Division of Elections. Make sure you use the proper postage and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

If you plan on registering online, you’ll need either a Maine driver’s license or a state ID number. Acceptable forms of ID to demonstrate your identity, proof of residence, and age include:

• Any valid photo ID
• Utility bill
• Bank statement
• Paycheck
• A government document that includes your name and address

When you have completed the form, you can hand-deliver it, mail it to city hall, or send it to the Secretary of State’s Office in Augusta at the Division of Elections. Their address is #101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101. Members of the military, overseas voters, and uniformed service members can use the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) to complete an application and request an absentee ballot.

Maine Now Has a Semi-Open Primary System

In some states, you can only vote in a primary election if you are registered as a Democrat or a Republican. If you are registered as an independent, you cannot take part in the primaries.

This used to be the case in Maine as well, but it changed on January 1, 2024. Lawmakers in Maine passed a new law that allows independent voters to participate in primary elections. They can choose to vote for either party’s candidate, as long as they are consistent up and down the ballot.

The new law, L.D. 231, 21-AMRS Sections 145-146, is intended to increase voter turnout and allow all eligible voters to participate in the democratic process regardless of party affiliation.

What if You Have Difficulties Voting?

Not everybody can go to the polling place and cast their ballot. Some people have a disability or another reason for not being able to vote in person.

The good news is that the State of Maine has special rules for groups of people who have difficulty voting in person. Some of these include:

• Survivors of violence: Maine participates in the Address Confidentiality Program to protect victims of domestic violence who may be at risk if someone publicly displays their address and phone number
• Homeless, unhoused, or impermanent voters: You must provide an address when registering, which can be the location where you most often stay or the address of a shelter where you can receive mail (If you register at the polls on Election Day, the worker may ask you where you slept the night before to determine which polling place you should use)
• Incarcerated voters: Inmates can register to vote using the address where they lived before their incarceration

Election officials will verify the information submitted on a voter registration application. You’ll be alerted when they approve your voter registration application or if they need further information.

Voter Registration Deadlines

There is no deadline for registering to vote in person. If you want to register to vote online or by mail, you must do so before the close of business on the 21st day before the election.

Requesting an Absentee Ballot

Any registered voter can cast an absentee ballot. You don’t need a reason. All you have to do is submit an absentee ballot request, fill out the ballot, and return it to your municipal clerk or the Secretary of State.

You can apply for an absentee ballot as early as three months before Election Day and until the third business day before the election. If you are in the military or live overseas, you can request an absentee ballot through the FVAP website.

What To Bring to the Polls on Election Day

You must present your Voter ID card if you are voting in person on Election Day. If you do not have an ID card or proof of residence, you can still vote using a challenged ballot. You will have to present your ID after the election for your vote to count. Unlike many other states, Maine includes provisional ballots even if a voter casts them in the wrong precinct.

Special Accommodations at the Polling Place

Maine strives to provide an accessible voting process. Every polling place must have at least one accessible voting station. Maine uses an accessible voting system called ExpressVote to help voters with disabilities. The ExpressVote is a tabletop ballot-marking device that allows users to navigate a ballot using a touchscreen or a keypad with audio feedback.

Polling places must also be handicap accessible. If you worry about accessibility, you can talk to the local clerk or warden. If you need help with an accessibility issue, contact the Elections Division at 1-888-868-3763.

What if I See Something Illegal at the Polls?

Most of the time, when you go to cast your ballot, it is an uneventful experience. However, there are times when you may encounter someone doing something illegal at the polling place. If this happens, you should report it to a poll worker immediately.

Some of the behavior you may witness includes:

• Voter harassment or intimidation
• A poll worker prohibiting someone from voting
• People aggressively approaching voters on the way into the polls
• Someone brandishing a firearm
• Threats of violence
• Attacking behavior
• People demanding to know who you voted for
• Someone taking pictures or videos of voters with their cell phone
• Electoral fraud
• Voter fraud

If you see any of the above, you can file a complaint with the clerk or election officials. Don’t confront the offender yourself. You can also file a complaint with the Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s Office at cec.elections@maine.gov or by calling 207-624-7650. You can also report voting law violations to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Maine’s laws change frequently due to new legislation, higher court rulings, and other means. While FindLaw strives to provide the most current information, contact a local civil rights attorney to verify state laws.

A Civil Rights Attorney in Maine Can Help

If you believe someone has violated your voting rights, contact a seasoned civil rights attorney right away. They can also help if you have questions about Maine’s voting laws. Participating in the election process is important, and you need to protect your rights as a U.S. citizen.

Additional Information

Maine Secretary of State

148 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333

• Phone: 207-626-8400
• Fax: 207-287-8598
• Email: sos.office@maine.gov
• Web: https://www.maine.gov/sos/

Maine Voter Information

Your vote counts. Take the time to learn how and when to vote.

• REGISTER TO VOTE
• MAINE ELECTION DATES
• REQUESTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT