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Maine · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

Municipal Clerk (town or city level - each of Maine's ~490 municipalities) / Maine Secretary of State, Division of Elections (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Maine resident, at least 17 years old to register (must be 18 to vote), and not currently incarcerated for a felony after conviction (see State Notes - Maine has very permissive rules); even incarcerated Mainers may be eligible to register
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. ONLINE: maine.gov/vote - requires current valid Maine driver's license or Maine State ID; deadline 5:00 PM on the 21st day before Election Day for online registration
  4. BY MAIL: Download Maine voter registration application at maine.gov/sos/elections-voting; mail to your municipal clerk's office - must be RECEIVED by close of business on the 21st day before Election Day
  5. IN PERSON: Municipal Clerk (Town Office or City Hall); Bureau of Motor Vehicles; many government agencies - deadline: the 21st day before Election Day for advance registration
  6. SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: Maine offers same-day voter registration - register and vote in person at your municipality on or up to and including ELECTION DAY; bring proof of identity and residency
  7. BMV: BMV voter registration ends approximately 7 days before Election Day (varies by election - check Maine SOS for specific dates)
  8. Submit registration before the applicable deadline
  9. Receive voter registration card from your municipal clerk confirming enrollment
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Maine driver's license or Maine State ID number (for online registration)
  • OR Social Security number, date of birth, and current Maine address
  • For same-day registration: proof of identity AND proof of Maine residency (Maine driver's license with current address, utility bill, bank statement, government document showing name and address, or other acceptable document)
Fee
Free ADVANCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 21st day before Election Day (online by 5:00 PM; mail received by close of business; in-person at municipal clerk) SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: YES - available through and including Election Day in person at municipal office; bring proof of identity and Maine residency CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: Contact your municipal clerk; maine.gov/sos/elections-voting ABSENTEE VOTING: Any registered Maine voter may vote absentee - no excuse required; request ballot starting 2 months (primary) or 3 months (other elections) before Election Day; deadline to request: Thursday before Election Day by 5:00 PM (without special circumstances); automatic absentee voter status available as of December 31, 2025 ONLINE OPTION: Yes - maine.gov/vote (online registration); absentee ballot requests also available online WHERE TO GO: Municipal Clerk (Town Office or City Hall); BMV offices; many government agencies; or same-day registration on/before Election Day
Online Option
Yes - maine.gov/vote (online registration); absentee ballot requests also available online
Where to Go
Municipal Clerk (Town Office or City Hall); BMV offices; many government agencies; or same-day registration on/before Election Day
Maine Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Maine has SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION - register and vote on Election Day (or before) in person at your municipality; requires proof of identity and Maine residency.
  • FELONY CONVICTION: Maine has one of the most permissive felony voting laws nationally - INCARCERATION STATUS DOES NOT DISQUALIFY a Mainer from registering or voting; persons incarcerated at a correctional facility OR county jail may register to vote in the Maine municipality where they established residency PRIOR to incarceration, and may vote by absentee ballot.
  • NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING: Any registered Maine voter may vote absentee without providing a reason.
  • AUTOMATIC ABSENTEE STATUS: As of December 31, 2025, any voter may apply for ongoing absentee voter status to automatically receive ballots for each election.
  • Maine minimum voter registration age: 17 (to register; must be 18 to actually vote).
  • No photo ID required to vote in Maine (unlike many states); but same-day registrants need proof of identity and residency.
  • Polls open 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM (times may vary by municipality).
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Maine Secretary of State, Division of Elections - maine.gov/sos/elections-voting | (207) 624-7650; maine.gov/vote (online registration); Municipal Clerk (varies by municipality)