Brittany Lorance, Outreach Coordinator at CCSM
Maine is a national leader in voter turnout; a success story built on accessible elections and a deep respect for civic participation. This reputation is backed by data: in the 2022 general election, Maine had the highest voter turnout in the nation. In the 2020 presidential election, Maine’s voter turnout of 74.2% was significantly higher than the national average of 61.4%. Voting is special in Maine, civic engagement is part of our culture. It’s a point of pride that our state makes it so easy for every citizen to have their voice heard.
Whether you prefer to vote in person on Election Day or cast a ballot from the comfort of your home, Maine’s system offers a variety of convenient and secure options. Maine has “no-excuse” absentee voting, which means any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without needing a specific reason. This is an essential option for busy parents, students, shift workers, and anyone who might face challenges getting to the polls on a single day.
- How to Request a Ballot: You can request an absentee ballot online, by phone, or in person at your town clerk’s office. You can make the request up to three months before an election.
- Ongoing Absentee Voter Status: Voters who are 65 or older or who self-identify as having a disability can apply for ongoing absentee voter status. This means a ballot will be automatically mailed to you for every statewide and municipal election for which you are eligible, eliminating the need to re-apply each time.
- Ballot Drop Boxes: Many municipalities provide secure drop boxes, which are a convenient and safe option for returning your ballot. While not required by state law, most towns offer at least one drop box, and some of the larger cities provide multiple locations.
You can always vote in person at your designated polling place on Election Day. If you’re not yet registered to vote, you can register at the polls on Election Day and cast your ballot at the same time. This is a unique feature of Maine’s system that ensures everyone has an opportunity to participate.
Everyone should have the right to and access to voting privately and independently, and Maine’s voting laws reflect that. Voters with disabilities rely on many federal and state protections and resources to vote.
Every polling place in Maine is equipped with an Accessible Voting System (AVS), such as the ExpressVote machine. This device allows voters with disabilities to mark their ballot privately and independently using a touchscreen or a keypad with an audio interface. It is not connected to the internet and does not store your choices, instead printing a paper ballot that is counted along with all others, ensuring privacy and security.
For voters with a “print disability” (a physical, cognitive, or visual impairment that prevents them from completing a paper ballot), Maine offers a fully accessible electronic absentee ballot. This system allows you to:
- Request and receive a ballot via a secure email.
- Complete the ballot using standard screen reader software on your computer.
- Securely submit the ballot electronically or by printing and mailing it.
This option is a vital tool for ensuring that all Mainers can vote from home with the same privacy and independence as voting in person.
If you need assistance at a polling place due to a disability, you have the right to request help from a poll worker. You can also bring a person of your choice (excluding your employer, a union agent, or a candidate) to assist you with reading or marking your ballot. Guardians are also prohibited from interfering with a person’s right to vote.
Maine’s voting system is designed to be one of the most accessible in the country, resulting in a vibrant voter turnout where all residents have the opportunity to express their vote. Maine’s commitment to these options is what makes it a leader in voter accessibility and ensures that every voice is heard in every election.
A looming threat to this accessible system is Question 1 on the November 2025 ballot. While its title, “Require Voter Photo ID and Change Absentee Ballot and Drop Box Rules,” suggests a simple, common-sense reform, a closer look reveals that it would dismantle many of the laws that have made Maine a leader in civic participation. The initiative presents itself as a solution to voter fraud, but extensive research and past investigations have consistently shown that in-person voter fraud is a vanishingly rare occurrence in Maine. A Republican-appointed Elections Commission even concluded that there is “little or no history” of impersonation or identification fraud in the state. Instead, this ballot question would roll back many of the very same voting rights and access points previously mentioned in this article.
These changes would disproportionately impact the very same populations that rely on Maine’s current flexible voting system: senior citizens, people with disabilities, students, service members overseas, and working families. While the initiative highlights the need for photo ID, it ignores a key fact: identity verification is already a required part of the voter registration process. New voters must provide a driver’s license number, state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. For many, a simple ID check at the polls seems reasonable, but the reality of Question 1 is that it would create a complicated web of new barriers to casting a ballot. It is a fundamental shift away from the principles of access and convenience that have served Maine so well, and it is crucial to understand its full implications before a vote is cast.
Contact Us
For further information, please reach out to us at info@maineccsm.org or contact Brittany at blorance@maineccsm.org
Consumer Council System of Maine: A Voice For Consumers of Mental Health Services
Phone: 207-687-6035
