How to Vote in Maine's 2022 Elections

En español | Maine’s Nov. 8 general election will decide races for governor and seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislature, among other state and local contests. The state's primary was June 14.

Essential info:

• Absentee voting: All registered voters can request a no-excuse absentee ballot and vote from home in November’s general election.

• In-person early 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: The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls will open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., depending on your town, and will close at 8 p.m.

What's new this year?

A redistricting plan signed into law last year may affect which candidates run in your district in 2022.

What races are on the ballot, and who's running?

• Governor: Paul LePage (R), Incumbent Janet Mills (D)
• U.S. House
  
  • First Congressional District: Chellie Pingree (D), Edwin Thelander (R)
  • Second Congressional District: Jared Golden (D), Bruce Poliquin (R)
• State House: all 151 seats
• State Senate: all 35 seats

How do I register to vote?

• By mail: Complete an online registration application and then print it out, or download, print and complete an application by hand. You can also contact your town clerk and ask for an application in the mail. Send completed applications to your local clerk’s office or to the Maine Division of Elections office at 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Mailed applications must be received by Oct. 18 to vote in the general election.

• In person: Pick up a registration application or return a completed one to your town clerk’s office or city hall by 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can also pick up an application from any Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch office or in most state and federal social services offices. But if you try to register through another government agency within 30 days of an election, you’ll be warned that your registration might not make it to the registrar in time and that you should instead register in person at your clerk’s office or city hall.

How can I get an absentee ballot? Are there important deadlines?

Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot and vote safely from home in the June primaries and in November’s general election.

Ballots can be requested starting three months before an election. You can request an absentee ballot online, by mail or in person.

• Online: Use the state’s absentee ballot request portal to complete an application by Nov. 3 to vote absentee in the general election.

• By mail: Once ballots are available, print an application from the state’s absentee ballot request portal and mail it to your local municipal clerk’s office. Or call your clerk’s office and ask that an application be mailed to you. Requests must be received by Nov. 3 to vote absentee in the general election.

• In person: You can pick up an application at your local municipal clerk’s office and complete it there or take it home. The request must be made by Nov. 3 to vote absentee in the general election.

An immediate family member can request and receive an application or ballot on your behalf by completing a written absentee ballot application. You can also designate a non-family member to pick up and deliver your ballot, provided you do so in writing and either a notary public, municipal clerk, clerk of courts, or two other people serve as witnesses.

If you submitted an absentee ballot request and haven’t received your ballot within three weeks of Election Day, contact your town clerk.

How do I return an absentee ballot?

Election officials must receive completed ballots by 8 p.m. on Nov. 8 for the general election.

• By mail: Send your completed ballot to your local municipal clerk’s office. State officials recommend mailing your ballot by Nov. 1 for the general election to avoid possible postal delays.

• In person: Drop off your completed ballot or that of an immediate family member at your local municipal clerk’s office.

Use the state’s absentee ballot request portal to track the status of your absentee ballot.

Are there additional resources for voters with disabilities?

Yes. Voters living with a vision impairment or a disability that prevents them from filling out a paper ballot can request an accessible electronic absentee ballot through Maine’s absentee ballot request portal.

People with disabilities who choose to vote in person on Election Day can use special equipment to assist the hearing, visually or physically impaired that is available at all polling sites. The secretary of state’s website has more information about resources available to people with disabilities.

Can I vote in person before Election Day?

Yes, you can vote early and in person by casting an absentee ballot at your local municipal clerk’s office. Absentee ballots will be available by Oct. 11 and can be cast early and in person until Nov. 3.

When is Election Day? When are polls open?

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls are open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., with exact hours determined by your town’s population. Contact your local elections office for exact times or use the state’s voter information portal to find your polling place.

You’ll still be able to cast a ballot after 8 p.m., as long as you were in line before the polls closed.

Do I need identification to vote?

Not if you’re a registered voter. But if you’re registering to vote on Election Day, you’ll be asked to show a current driver’s license, passport or other government-issued ID that confirms your name and address. You can also show a student ID card from a Maine public or private school or a utility bill that confirms your name and address, among other forms of acceptable identification.

If you don’t have an approved ID with you when you’re registering to vote on Election Day, you’ll be allowed to cast a challenged ballot, which will be counted as a regular ballot. If a race is close enough that challenged ballots affect the outcome, they’ll be sent to the state’s Supreme Judicial Court, which will decide whether they’re valid.

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on June 15 with more information about how to vote in the general election. The guide was first published on July 27, 2020.

Also of Interest

• Stay updated on the 2022 election at AARP.org/elections.
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at states.aarp.org/maine.