MAINE, USA — Election Day is right around the corner. Are you ready to head to the polls?
NEWS CENTER Maine has rounded up highlights from its recent election coverage to answer your lingering questions before casting your ballot this year.
When is Election Day?
Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls close at 8 p.m.
Maine has seen a "busy" early voter turnout this year, with tens of thousands of Mainers casting their vote ahead of Nov. 5. Local clerks say they're seeing an increase in voter registration and enthusiasm this year.
Maine's early voting period runs until Thursday, Oct. 31.
How do I register to vote?
After Oct. 29, voter registration must be done in person. Other forms of voter registration, such as online voter registration and by-mail registration, were available through Oct. 15.
To download and print Maine's voter registration application, click here. Completed applications can be turned in by hand or mailed to your town office or city hall.
Click here for examples of valid proof of identification required to register to vote under: "How do I register to vote?"
Can I still request an absentee ballot?
Absentee ballots can be requested until Oct. 31 this year. Voters are advised to request absentee ballots early.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is encouraging voters to drop ballots off to their clerk in-person or take advantage of drop boxes to avoid potential mail delays.
For more information on absentee voting, click here.
How does ranked-choice voting work?
Maine is one of two states that uses ranked-choice voting.
Voters select candidates in order of preference by marking their first, second, third, and subsequent choices. Lowest-ranking candidates will be eliminated until two candidates remain. The candidate that receives the majority of the votes, meaning more than 50 percent, is declared the winner.
You can still choose a single candidate instead of ranking several candidates by only marking the first-choice oval for your candidate, according to the Maine secretary of state's office.
Maine implemented the use of ranked-choice voting in primary elections in 2018 and presidential elections in 2020.
Who are the major candidates running for office?
PRESIDENTIAL RACE
- Kamala Harris, Democrat
- Donald Trump, Republican
- Chase Oliver, Libertarian
- Jill Stein, Green Party
- Cornel West
MAINE'S 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
- Incumbent Jared Golden, Democrat
- Austin Theriault, Republican
Watch NEWS CENTER Maine's CD2 Voice of the Voter Forum here.
MAINE'S 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
- Incumbent Chellie Pingree, Democrat
- Ron Russell, Republican
- Ethan Alcorn, independent
Watch NEWS CENTER Maine's CD1 Voice of the Voter Forum here.
MAINE SENATE RACE
- Incumbent Angus King, independent
- David Costello, Democrat
- Demi Kouzounas, Republican
- Jason Cherry, independent
Watch NEWS CENTER Maine's Senate race Voice of the Voter Forum here.
For more political coverage, tune into NEWS CENTER Maine's Political Brew.
