Voting in Maine, 2026

Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.

Right nowEarly voting is open in Maine through Thursday, October 29.Election Day in 7 days

Every date, in order

Sun, Oct 4 · passed
Early voting begins
Thu, Oct 29 · 2 days
Early voting ends; Last day for mail ballot applications
In-person absentee voting runs from Sunday October 4 through Thursday October 29, 2026, 3 business days before Election Day. Absentee requests must be received by Thursday October 29, 2026, 3 business days before Election Day.¹
Tue, Nov 3 · 7 days
Election Day; Registration deadline; Mail ballots must arrive
Voters can register in person through the close of polls on Election Day, and mail and online registration closes Tuesday October 13, 2026. Absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.¹
Thu, Nov 5 · 9 days
County/Local canvass; County/Local certification
Local returns are in by 5 p.m. on the second business day after the election, November 5.²
Mon, Nov 23 · 27 days
State canvass; State certification
The statewide canvass is complete within 20 days of the election, by November 23.²
After certification
Deadline to contest the result
No deadline is set for filing a contest of the general election results.³

Questions people ask about voting in Maine

Q. When does early voting end in Maine?

In-person absentee voting runs from Sunday October 4 through Thursday October 29, 2026, 3 business days before Election Day.

Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in Maine?

Voters can register in person through the close of polls on Election Day, and mail and online registration closes Tuesday October 13, 2026.

Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in Maine?

Absentee requests must be received by Thursday October 29, 2026, 3 business days before Election Day.

Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in Maine?

Absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Q. Who certifies the election in Maine, and by when?

The municipal clerk totals the results for the town or city and sends them to the Secretary of State. Local returns are due by 5 p.m. on the second business day after the election, November 5, 2026. The Secretary of State tabulates the municipal results and prepares the statewide canvass, and the Governor certifies the winners. The Secretary of State must tabulate and certify the results within 20 days after the election, by November 23, 2026.

Q. What happens after the count in Maine, and when is there a recount?

A candidate may request a recount within 5 business days after the election, and pays for it unless the margin is one and a half percent or less or the recount reverses the result.

Q. How long is there to contest an election in Maine?

No deadline is set for filing a contest of the general election results.

Sources

Vote.org, Maine Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/maine/
NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
NCSL, Contested Election Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
NASS, State Election Canvassing Timeframes and Recount Thresholds, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
Bolts, Who counts our elections, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines

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