AUGUSTA, Maine — Democrats in Maine have a large lead over Republicans in registering voters in Maine, though both parties have more members than they’ve ever had in at least three decades.
The Maine Secretary of State’s Office has compiled data that show Democrats have 386,786 members and Republicans have 295,122. The Portland Press Herald reports enrollments are the highest since at least 1990, the first year with available statistics.
The data is compiled by the Secretary of State’s Office after each election, with the most recent data coming from the July 14 State Primary election.
The number of unenrolled voters in the state declined to 339,782. There were more than 367,000 unenrolled voters in the state in 2014, after which the figure began to decline.
The Green party has 41,693 registered voters according to the data.
Maine Republican Party (Maine GOP) Executive Director Jason Savage told NEWS CENTER Maine the data isn't entirely surprising to the party.
"[The Democrats] had back-to-back competitive primaries this year," Savage said, referencing the Super Tuesday presidential primary in March and the recent July 14 Maine State primary. "It's just the way politics and elections work."
"We have to do the hard work one voter at a time," Savage said. "We're making gains, our work just takes a little longer."
The Maine Dems also aren't surprised by the numbers, a spokesperson from the Maine Democratic Party told NEWS CENTER Maine.
"It’s really no surprise to us that Mainers are turning to Democrats in record numbers, because when it comes down to it, what people want from their elected leaders is simple: a willingness to wake up every day and fight for them."
The Maine Dems say they've been working hard to communicate their values to Mainers, "and it's paying off."
In the 2016 General Election, Democrats again led in registration numbers with 338,352 members while Republicans had 285,320. In that election, Hillary Clinton won Maine with 47.8% of the vote to Donald Trump’s 44.9%.
This year’s General Election, which is a little less than three months away, will be highly contentious, featuring not only the bout between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, but a U.S. Senate race that will shine the national spotlight on the state of Maine.
Both parties have taken note of the more polarized political climate in Maine since the last general election.
The Maine GOP says they're working to register disenfranchised Democrats and on-the-edge Independents, while the Maine Dems are working towards the same goal, seeking out Republicans who may be looking to switch their votes from Trump and Sen. Susan Collins.