Election Day in Maine – Where to Vote, How to Register Today
It's Election Day, so we've put together some information you may need before heading to the polls.
Where Do I Vote?
The first thing you'll want to know if you don't already is where to vote. There are too many locations statewide, obviously, to print here, but you can click here for the full list. It's a good idea to double-check if your polling place changed during the pandemic. For instance, in Orrington where I live, the polling place changed from the town office to the school for the pandemic. It has now been returned to the town office.
Polling places across the state open today between 6 and 10 a.m. (depending on the location) and all polls will close at 8 p.m. Showing up at 8:05 p.m. won't do you any good. They're sticklers for punctuality. If you're unsure what time your polling place opens, check the list.
Can I Register to Vote Today?
There are always a few people who intended to register to vote before election day, but just never got around to it. For those folks, registration is available at the polls. You'll need to take some proof of residency with you, in order to..well...prove you live there. Some of the qualifying documents include:
- Your state-issued driver's license or ID
- Your hunting or fishing license
- A utility bill in your name
- Your passport
- Your tax return
- Your vehicle's registration
- Pretty much any official document that has your name and current address
It's a very easy process and you'll be able to cast your votes immediately after registering.
If you're registered to vote and you've voted before, you won't need to show any identification before voting. The poll workers will ask for your name and will find you on their list. If you've never voted before or you've recently changed districts, or if you registered by mail, you may be required to show proof of identification, so it's always a good idea to have it with you.
How Do I Know My Absentee Ballot Was Counted?
If you've already voted via absentee ballot, you can track it online. The State of Maine provides a website where you can follow the progress of your absentee ballot and reassure yourself that it actually reached its destination and was counted.
Find more election information on the Maine Secretary of State's website.