Absentee voting in Maine is underway, with four Electoral College ballots and a number of other national, state and local races on the ballot.
Maine is one of two states in the US – the other being Nebraska – that does not use a winner-take-all system for its voters. In the presidential race, two electors are awarded to the winner of the statewide popular vote, and one elector is awarded to Maine’s District 1 and District 2, respectively.
A “vote here” sign on the entrance to a Waterville Junior High School polling station during an election in Waterville, Maine, Nov. 3, 2020. (Reuters/Elizabeth Frantz)
Maine is overwhelmingly Democratic, but its large 2nd District is crucial to Trump’s victory
Maine is one of the northeastern states that leans Democratic. President Biden won here by nine points in 2020, improving on Hillary Clinton’s margin four years ago. And it hasn’t voted Republican at the statewide level since 1988. It is ranked a possible D on the Fox News Power Rankings.
Like Nebraska, it also allocates its electoral votes by congressional district. The winner of the national tally receives two votes, with one vote going to the winner of the presidential election in each of the two districts.
The 1st coastal sub-district is solid blue. Region 2, which is predominantly rural and represents almost the entire country, is heavily dependent on savings.
Trump won the 2nd District by 7.4 points in his last race, and is ranked as a likely R this cycle. The former president will look to win here to get closer to the 270 votes needed to win the presidency.
Down-ballot races that matter in today’s voting states
The same district is also home to a competitive House race.
Maine’s 2nd District: Rep. Rep. Jared Golden is one of five Democrats running in districts that Trump won in the last presidential election (Golden won by 6 points). He made headlines this year when he said he “didn’t know” he would vote for Biden again and was one of the first Democrats to question Biden’s mental health. This time, he’s up against Maine State Representative and NASCAR driver Austin Theriault, who says he wants “more balance and less excess” in politics. This is a race to the top of the Power Rankings.
How to vote in Maine
This is a guide to registering and voting early. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on voting eligibility, procedures and deadlines, please go to Vote.gov and election database in Maine.
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Voting by mail
Absentee ballots have begun to be mailed to voters after clerks had to receive printed ballots to be mailed on Saturday. Applicants do not need to provide an excuse to obtain a vote. The state must receive a ballot application by October 31, and that ballot must be delivered to county officials by November 5.
A voter arrives at a polling place to vote in Portland, Maine, Nov. 3, 2009. (Reuters/Joel Page)
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Early voting
Maine counties offer early voting, but the start date varies by location. Check the county website for more information. Citizens can vote in person by absentee ballot until the Thursday before Election Day.
A ballot box at a polling place before Election Day at Waterville Junior High School in Waterville, Maine, Nov. 2, 2020. (Reuters/Elizabeth Frantz)
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Registering to vote
Maine residents can register to vote online or by mail until Oct. 15. They can also register in person during early voting and on Election Day.