Democrats dominating Maine absentee voting so far
Maine’s Early Absentee Ballot Turnout Surges Toward Midterm Record
Portland, Maine — Maine voters are casting ballots well ahead of Election Day, with more than 100,000 absentee ballots already returned and accepted, according to data from the state Secretary of State’s office. The figure is already higher than the total absentee turnout recorded in the June 9 primary and is on track to exceed the 2022 mid‑term totals.
The early votes are being cast at a number of polling places around the state, with a high‑profile line‑up visible at the State of Maine Room in Portland City Hall on Tuesday, October 20. In addition to in‑person early voting, voters may request absentee ballots up to Thursday, Oct. 29, and must return them to their town clerks no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Numbers So Far
As of Friday, the Secretary of State’s system shows 101,777 absentee ballots have been received and counted. That represents roughly 11 % of the state’s registered voters. In 2022, by the same point in the cycle, about 77,700 ballots had been returned. The 2024 election, which set a state record for turnout, saw nearly 130,000 absentee ballots accepted just 18 days before the presidential vote.
Party‑by‑party, 53 % of the early ballots were submitted by registered Democrats. Unaffiliated voters account for roughly 25 % of the early vote. The remaining ballots come from Republican registrants. In line with national trends, 17 % of registered Democrats have already returned absentee ballots, compared to only 7 % of Republicans.
The most active early‑voting region is the 1st Congressional District, a strong Democratic bastion. Early absentee ballots from the district total 62,135, comprising 61 % of all early votes statewide. The district’s U.S. Representative, Chellie Pingree, is campaigning for a tenth term and is widely expected to win easily against Republican challenger Ron Russell. While the district’s turnout may be driven more by statewide contests than the congressional race itself, the high early turnout could influence the balance in the Senate race.
Why the Surge?
The 2026 ballot is packed with high‑stakes contests. Voters are deciding who will hold the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by retiring Republican Senator Susan Collins, whether Governor Janet Mills will be re‑elected, and the outcome of Maine’s two U.S. House seats. Democrats are hopeful that early voting will keep their lead on the ballot, while Republican candidate Bobby Charles has urged his base to act early.
“If you’re with me, I need you to vote,” Charles said in a social‑media post on Sunday. “Right now, the Democrats are outvoting us. Don’t wait. Make a plan, cast your ballot, and bring a friend with you.” The post highlights the perceived advantage of early absentee voting for Democrats, a pattern that has emerged in Maine and many other states this election cycle.
Ballot Rejection Rates
The Secretary of State reports that 0.76 % of absentee ballots have been rejected—775 ballots in total. Of those, 23 are still being remedied, while 23 Mainers died before they could cast their ballots. The most frequent reason for rejection was that the voter never received a ballot; the second most common reason was that the ballot was spoiled in a manner that prevented a clerk from counting it. The latter category involved 220 voters.
Looking Ahead
The data suggest that early absentee voting will likely exceed the mid‑term turnout seen in 2022. Analysts note that a larger early vote could give Democrats a head start on the ballot and shape the final outcomes, especially in the closely contested Senate race against incumbent Troy Jackson.
The Secretary of State’s office will continue to publish updates as the deadline for absentee ballot requests and returns approaches. Maine voters who have not yet requested a ballot can do so until Thursday, Oct. 29, and must ensure it is delivered to their local clerk by Election Day to have their voice counted.
