Voters line up to cast their ballot early on Oct. 30 at Augusta City Hall. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)
It’s Election Day, Mainers.
With important races up and down the ballot, Maine Morning Star has details on everything you need to know, such as same-day voter registration and where candidates stand on key issues like immigration, energy and education.
This story will be updated throughout the day with developments from our reporters who will be visiting polls and watch parties throughout the state. And this evening we’ll be covering results from Maine, as well as the national election after polls close, so be sure to check back in. You can also check our Voter Guide for additional information before and after you cast your vote.
15 hours ago
Who’s on the ballot?
Tuesday’s ballot will include the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, but voters will also have the chance to select candidates for other federal, state and local offices.
In Maine, there are three other federal races at stake, but voters will only see two on their ballot. Every voter in the state will have the chance to weigh in on the U.S. Senate race between independent incumbent Sen. Angus King and his three challengers: Republican Demi Kouzounas, Democrat David Costello and independent Jason Cherry.
There will also be a U.S. House race on every ballot, but voters in the 1st Congressional District will be deciding whether to give Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree another term, while 2nd District voters will be deciding the same fate for Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Golden.
Pingree is facing two challengers — Republican Ron Russell and unenrolled independent Ethan Alcorn. Golden is up against Republican Austin Theriault, a freshman state legislator and former NASCAR driver.
The contest between Golden and Theriault is among the races being watched nationally as it could tip the scales for which party controls the U.S. House.
Continuing down the ballot, every seat for the Maine Legislature is up for reelection Tuesday. Voters will weigh in on candidates for both the Maine Senate and House of Representatives. Here are the races we are keeping a close eye on and why.
If you live in one of the 28 House districts and two Senate districts with only one candidate running, you won’t have to wait until the polls close to see who will be representing you in Augusta next session.
There will also be five statewide referendum questions to decide on.
Question One will ask voters if they would like to limit contributions to independent political action committees in Maine. There will also be three bond questions: one focused on research and development, one on trail improvements and the third on restoring historic buildings. Finally, Question Five will ask voters to decide whether the state should adopt a new flag based on the already ubiquitous Pine Tree Flag design.
To find what is on your specific ballot — such as local referendum questions and municipal candidates — you can enter your address on the Vote 411 website.
15 hours ago
Not too late to register to vote
If you haven’t registered to vote, it’s not too late. You can register at your city hall, town office or polling place. All you need is an ID and proof of residency, such as a utility bill.
People who are unhoused may register to vote, even if they don’t have a traditional address. Instead of residency documentation, they can provide a physical description of their residence to their municipal clerk under oath.
15 hours ago
Find your polling place
The Maine.gov website offers a voter information lookup feature to find polling places and a sample ballot.
Enter your home address to search for your unique information. Polls open between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. You can find specific hours for your location on the Upcoming Elections page on the Maine secretary of state website.