What you need to know to vote in Maine’s 2026 primary election
Are you wondering which races will use ranked-choice voting or when you can request an absentee ballot? We’ve compiled answers to more than 20 questions ahead of Maine’s primary election on June 9. Is there something else you’d like to know? You can ask us here.
As for what’s on the ballot: Check out our full 2026 primary voter guide for information on the crowded governor’s race, the shakeup in the Democratic Senate primary, who’s financing each campaign and more.
How do I know if I’m eligible to vote?
To be eligible to vote in Maine, you must be a U.S. citizen. You must have established residency in the place where you are registering to vote. You must also be at least 18 years old. In primary elections you may vote if you are 17 but will be 18 by the general election. You can read more detailed guidelines on the secretary of state’s website.
How do I register to vote?
You can register to vote online; by mail; in person at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch or your municipal office; or at the polls on the day of the election with same-day voter registration.
If you are registering for the first time in Maine, you will need to provide proof of your identity and proof of residence in the state. A Maine driver’s license or state identification card that lists your current address meets both requirements.
According to the secretary of state’s office, acceptable proof of identification to register to vote includes:
- Government document or credential with photo ID (i.e. driver’s license, state ID, valid U.S. passport, military ID, ID card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe)
- Government ID document/credential without photo (i.e. certified birth certificate or signed Social Security card)
- An official document that shows name and address of voter (i.e. eligibility for public benefits, utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck)
- Student photo ID from a state-approved public or private school or institute of higher education in Maine
- Verified unique identifier (Maine driver’s license number or last four numbers of Social Security Number)
According to the secretary of state’s office, acceptable proof of residency to register to vote includes:
- A direct statement under oath of your intention to reside at a particular place
- The location of any dwelling you currently occupy
- The place where you have registered a motor vehicle you own
- Your current income tax return or other tax document showing your residence address
- The residence address where your mail is received
- The residence address on your current hunting or fishing license
- The residence address on your driver’s license or state identification card
- Your eligibility for public benefits based on residency
- Any other documentation that you may have (e.g., a utility bill with your residence address) showing objective facts that indicate your place of residence
What if I’m a student?
If you are a student attending school in Maine, you have the right to register in the town where you attend school so long as you establish your school address as your voting residence. You can learn more about establishing residency under Maine’s election laws. If you are registered to vote in another state, you may vote by absentee ballot in that state.
If you previously lived in Maine and are attending school elsewhere but want to continue voting in Maine, you may keep your voting residency here (ie. at your parent’s home address) as long as you have not registered to vote in another state.
What if I live overseas?
If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad and qualified to register to vote, you may do so based on your legal residence in Maine or the last address where you lived in Maine before leaving the country, as may your spouse and dependents.
What if I’m incarcerated?
If you are incarcerated in a county jail or correctional facility, you can register to vote in the Maine town where you were living prior to incarceration.
What if I’m homeless?
If you are homeless or living in a shelter, you can register to vote in the town you are living in by providing a physical description of your place of residence, even if it is a park bench or other non-traditional address. You do not need to provide a mailing address.
Which party’s primary do I vote in?
Maine has semi-open primaries. This means voters enrolled in a party may only vote in that party’s primary. Unenrolled voters, meaning those who have chosen not to enroll in a particular political party, may vote in the primary election of their choice.
How do I change my political party if I’m already registered?
You can update your voter registration online. You must do so at least 15 days prior to the primary. If you enroll in a new party, you cannot change your enrollment again for three months unless you move to a new town.
What if I forgot which political party I’m enrolled in?
You can check your party enrollment by asking your town clerk.
Who can request an absentee ballot?
Any registered voter in Maine may cast an absentee ballot instead of voting in person at a polling place. You do not need to give a reason for requesting an absentee ballot.
How do I request an absentee ballot?
You can request an absentee ballot for the June 9, 2026, primary election between May 11 and June 4. You can request one by calling or visiting your municipal office or online by following the steps on this website.
How do I submit an absentee ballot?
Once you have filled out the ballot and signed the envelope, you can return it to the town clerk in person, put it in an absentee ballot dropbox (normally located outside a town office or city hall) or send it through the mail. All ballots must be received by the clerk by 8 p.m. on June 9.
How do I track my absentee ballot?
You can track your absentee ballot online. The tracking system will display the date your absentee ballot application is accepted by your town clerk, the date your clerk issues you your ballot and the date your clerk receives your ballot.
Where do I go to vote?
You can look up your polling place by entering your address here.
When is the 2026 primary election?
The 2026 primary is on Tuesday, June 9.
When are the polls open?
Polling locations open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., depending on the size of the community. You can check with your town office or city hall. All voting places close at 8 p.m.
What is ranked-choice voting?
In a ranked-choice voting system, voters can rank candidates in order of preference rather than simply choosing one candidate. You do not have to rank all the candidates. In this system, also called instant run-off voting, the first-choice votes are counted first; if a candidate receives more than half of those votes, they are declared the winner. If no one gets more than 50 percent, there could be multiple rounds of tabulation, with candidates in last place eliminated and their votes reallocated to voters’ next-highest choice until a candidate reaches more than 50 percent.
Which races in Maine use ranked-choice voting?
Maine uses ranked-choice voting for state-level and federal primary elections, and in general elections for federal races, which includes races for U.S. Congress and the president. It is only used in races in which there are more than two candidates.
In the June 9 primary election, ranked-choice voting will be used in the following races: the Democratic primary for governor, the Republican primary for governor, the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and the Democratic primary for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Any races for Maine Senate and Maine House seats with three or more candidates in a party primary will also use ranked-choice voting.
What about write-in candidates?
Write-in candidates must formally declare their candidacy by the state’s deadline for votes in their favor to be counted. You can view the full list of qualified write-in candidates for the June 9 primary on the secretary of state’s website. In a ranked-choice race, there will be a blank space in which to write in a declared write-in candidate’s name and rank that candidate; voters can only rank one write-in candidate.
Do I need to show an ID to vote?
No, you do not need to provide an ID if you are already registered to vote.
How do I vote?
Maine uses paper ballots. Instructions are printed directly on the ballot. Voters mark them by filling in ovals next to their choices. If you make a mistake, you can fold your ballot and give it to an election official in exchange for a clean ballot.
If you need help, you can ask an election official. You can also ask a relative or friend for help reading or marking a ballot, even if they are not a registered voter. Neither your employer nor a union representative can help you vote.
What if I require certain accommodations to vote?
Voters with disabilities that make it difficult to use a paper ballot can request an electronic accessible ballot that can be completed at home using screenreader technology. The state also provides an accessible voting machine at each polling place in Maine.