Why It Matters
Maine’s early voting total has exceeded the number of absentee ballots returned and accepted through Election Day in the 2022 midterm election. The election will determine three congressional seats, the governorship, and every seat in the state Legislature.
What Happened
As of Friday, 290,382 Maine voters had cast ballots early, including accepted absentee ballots and votes made in the presence of a clerk. More than 55% of this year’s early votes were cast in person.
Voters at Portland City Hall waited more than an hour on Thursday. Thursday was also the last day to request an absentee ballot and the last day of early, in-person voting.
Democrats cast more early ballots than Republicans, while unenrolled voters also cast more early ballots than Republicans. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said the partisan pattern was consistent with historical participation.
“There’s nothing hugely surprising about this data,” Bellows said. She also said, “What’s most exciting about the data is the level of enthusiasm.”
By the Numbers
290,382 — voters who had voted early as of Friday
More than 55% — share of early votes cast in person this year
Three — congressional seats at stake
236,977 — absentee ballots returned and accepted in 2022
378,764 — absentee ballots returned and accepted in 2024
323,562 — absentee ballots requested this election
About 47% — share of all accepted ballots cast by Democrats
Almost 23% — share of all accepted ballots cast by Republicans
Just over 27% — share of all accepted ballots cast by unenrolled voters
70% — share of eligible voters Bellows predicted would participate in the midterms
Zoom Out
Maine’s early voting total is approaching the level recorded during the 2024 presidential election. The share of mailed ballots declined by about 8% from 2022 to 2024 and by another 9% from 2024 to 2026.
Absentee-ballot requests also differ by voter group. Democratic requests were about 3% lower than in 2022 but about 5% higher than in 2024. Unenrolled-voter requests rose more than 4.5% from 2022 and about 1.5% from 2024.
Republican requests were a little more than 1% lower than in 2022 and about 5% lower than in 2024. The primary election took place in June.
What’s Next
Maine voters will decide the congressional, gubernatorial, and state legislative contests in the midterm election. Bellows predicted that 70% of eligible voters would participate.