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2026 Elections
How to Vote in Maine: 2028 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in Maine for the November 7, 2028 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at Maine's official election site
Election Day
November 7, 2028
Quick Answer
- Register By
- 21 days before Election Day
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Oct 4, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- 3 business days before Election Day
- Polls Close
- 8 p.m. ET
- Election Day
- November 7, 2028
Build your Maine voting plan
Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.
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See rule
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Nov 7, 2028
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Early voting opens
30 days before Election Day (in-person absentee) In-person absentee at the clerk’s office. Ballots must be printed and ready first, so the practical start varies by town.
Official source →See rule
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Nov 7, 2028
What's on Your Maine Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of Maine's U.S. House seats are on the 2028 ballot. View Maine's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
On the ballotThe November matchup: Susan Collins (R) vs Troy Jackson (D).
Maine Supreme Judicial Court
Not this cycleNo Maine Supreme Judicial Court seat is up in 2028. Local judges may be on your ballot too. How Maine chooses its judges →
To see every race you will vote on — including judges and local measures — check your sample ballot from your county or local election office, starting at Maine's official election site.
Find your Maine representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in Maine
To vote in the November 7, 2028 general election, register by 21 days before Election Day.
Maine also allows same-day registration on Election Day itself.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at Maine's official site.
Early Voting in Maine
Early voting opens ≈ October 4, 2026 — 30 days before Election Day (in-person absentee). It runs through 3 business days before Election Day, absent an excuse.
In-person absentee at the clerk’s office. Ballots must be printed and ready first, so the practical start varies by town.
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at Maine's official election site.
Voting by Mail in Maine
Any registered voter in Maine may request a mail ballot — no excuse required. Request deadline: 3 business days before Election Day.
Return rule: Must be received by close of polls on Election Day
Request deadline is in business days, not calendar days.
Track your ballot: use Maine's ballot tracker to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Details and request forms are at Maine's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in Maine
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
See the full list of accepted ID at Maine's official election site.
Poll Hours in Maine
Polls are open until 8 p.m. ET on November 7, 2028.
See how Maine's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at Maine's official election site.
When Maine Certifies Its Results
Election-night totals are unofficial. The count becomes official in two steps:
- Local: Municipal clerks — by about November 5, 2026. Within two business days of the election.
- Statewide: Secretary of state, reporting to the governor — November 23, 2026 on the 2026 calendar. Within 20 days of the election.
Certifying is a required step, not a second vote on the result. What happens if a local board won’t sign off, every state’s deadlines and how a result can be challenged are on how election results are certified.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in Maine?
21 days before Election Day Confirm the exact date at https://www.maine.gov/sos/elections-voting/registering-to-vote.
Can I vote early in person in Maine?
Yes. Early voting opens around October 4, 2026 (30 days before Election Day (in-person absentee)) and runs through 3 business days before Election Day, absent an excuse.
Do I need ID to vote in Maine?
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
When do polls close in Maine?
Polls close 8 p.m. ET on November 7, 2028.
How do I vote by mail in Maine?
Request a ballot (no excuse needed) — 3 business days before Election Day. Must be received by close of polls on Election Day
Is it too late to register to vote in Maine?
21 days before Election Day Confirm at https://www.maine.gov/sos/elections-voting/registering-to-vote.
How do I track my mail ballot in Maine?
Use Maine's ballot tracker (https://apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/ballot_status.pl) to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Where can I see a sample ballot for Maine?
Your county or local election office publishes sample ballots before each election. They list every race you will vote on, including judges and local measures. Start at Maine's official election site (https://www.maine.gov/sos/elections-voting/registering-to-vote).