Registering to vote: Register to vote online; by mail; in person at your town office, city hall, or a BMV branch; or at the polls with same-day voter registration. We’ve included some deadlines below, but there is no cut-off date for registering to vote in person at your municipal office, and you can do so at your poll site on Election Day. The Maine Secretary of State has a guide on what you need to know about registering to vote for the first time in Maine, as well as guidelines for completing the Maine Voter Registration Application.

Where to vote and what’s on your ballot: Look up your poll location and see what will appear on your ballot.

Absentee ballot requests: Anyone can request an absentee ballot, no specific reason needed. Accessible absentee ballots are available for voters with disabilities. As of December 31, 2025, any voter (other than a uniformed service or overseas voter) may apply for ongoing absentee voter status. A voter who qualifies will automatically receive an absentee ballot for each election going forward. You may make a written request for a “third person” (someone other than the voter or the voter’s immediate family member) to obtain and hand-deliver an absentee ballot. You must designate, in a written request or application, the specific third person who will handle and deliver the ballot. Only this designated third person may handle the absentee ballot. Ballots cast by third person must be witnessed by either a notary public, a municipal clerk, a clerk of courts, or 2 other witnesses.

Absentee ballot timing: According to the Maine SOS: “If you submit your absentee ballot request early, you will be among the first to receive your ballot. Printed ballots are sent out to the clerks 30 days prior to Election Day and they begin to mail them out shortly thereafter. If you submit your request during the 30-day period prior to Election Day, you will likely receive your ballot within 7-10 business days, on average. If you have any concerns about receiving your ballot, contact your municipal clerk directly.”

Uniformed Service & Overseas Voters (UOCAVA): The Maine SOS has a dedicated guide on information pertaining to these types of voters.

Ranked Choice Voting: The Maine SOS has a comprehensive explanation of what ranked choice voting is, and which races it applies to, on its website.

Help out at the polls: Every municipality needs citizens to help administer the election. Visit the election worker recruitment site for information about the qualifications, duties and benefits.

Questions: Ask the The Monitor newsroom — we’d love to hear from you. Or contact your municipal clerk. The SOS also has an FAQ guide about voting in Maine.

• Monday, May 11 through Thursday, June 4: Absentee voting is available (subject to office hours at your municipality’s office).
• Tuesday, May 19: Deadline to register to vote if registering by mail or online. Your registration by mail must be received by your municipal clerk by close of business. Your online registration must be submitted by 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 2: Deadline to register to vote if registering through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
• Thursday, June 4: Deadline to request absentee ballots from a municipal clerk, unless special circumstances exist, at close of business in your municipality.
• Monday, June 8: Deadline to register to vote by mail or electronically if you are a Uniformed Service & Overseas Voters (UOCAVA) voter. Registration must be completed by noon.
• Tuesday, June 9: Election Day for primary races. You can register in person to vote at your polling place until polls close that day. Voted absentee ballots must be received by your municipal clerk by 8 p.m.

• Monday, October 6 through Thursday, October 30: Absentee voting is available (subject to office hours at your municipality’s office).
• Tuesday, October 13: Deadline to register to vote if registering by mail or online. Your registration by mail must be received by your municipal clerk by close of business. Your online registration must be submitted by 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 27: Deadline to register to vote if registering through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
• Thursday, October 29: Deadline to request absentee ballots from a municipal clerk, unless special circumstances exist, at close of business in your municipality.
• Monday, November 2: Deadline to register to vote by mail or electronically if you are a UOCAVA voter. Registration must be completed by noon.
• Tuesday, November 3: Election Day. You can register in person to vote at your polling place until polls close that day. Voted absentee ballots must be received by your municipal clerk by 8 p.m.

Stay in the know: For more elections news, sign up for our daily newsletter or check out our elections hub.