Upcoming Elections

2020 Schedule of Federal/State Elections

June 9 State Primary Election
November 3 General (Presidential) and Potential State Referendum Election

Maine Political Parties

Maine currently has three qualified parties: Democratic, Green Independent and Republican that may participate in primary elections. (Note: although some unenrolled candidates choose to designate themselves as “Independent,” there is no “Independent” party in Maine.) 

June 9, 2020 - State Primary Election

Candidates Listing (xls) - As of 5:00 p.m. 3/16/2020 filing deadline

Maine Voter Registration Application – PDF Format ( revised 1/2020)

Description of the State Primary Election (for offices other than President)

Primary Elections determine each qualified party’s nomination of candidates for federal offices (other than President) and qualified State and County offices.  Party candidates who are elected at the Primary qualify to appear on the November General Election ballot.

Offices included in the 2020 Primary Election are United States Senator, Representative to Congress (both districts), all 35 State Senate districts, all 151 State Representative districts, and the following county offices, which vary depending on the county: Judge of Probate, Register of Probate, County Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Sheriff, District Attorney and County Commissioner. 

In order to qualify for the Primary Election ballot, party candidates must gather a specified number of signatures on primary nomination petitions between January 1, 2020 and March 16, 2020 and must submit these petitions to the Secretary of State’s Division of Elections by 5:00 p.m. on March 16, 2020.  

Nonparty candidates gain access directly to the General Election ballot by gathering a specified number of signatures on nonparty nomination petitions between January 1, 2020 and June 1, 2020 and must submit these petitions to the Division of Elections by 5:00 pm on June 1, 2020. 

Please see the Candidate web page for more information.

November 3, 2020 - General (Presidential) and Potential State Referendum Election

Description of the General Election

The General Election is held nationally on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November.  In 2020, Maine voters will select their choice for President/Vice President (this process is called the “popular vote”), and elect one of Maine’s two United States Senators, Maine’s Representatives to Congress, members of the Maine Legislature, and certain county officers. 

Each party’s nomination for President/Vice President of the United States, party candidates who are nominated as a result of the June Primary Election, and unenrolled candidates will appear on the General Election ballot. 

The actual election of President/Vice President occurs through the Electoral College.  The “popular vote” is used to choose Maine’s 4 “electors”, who convene at what is called the “Electoral College” at the State House in December to cast their “electoral votes.” 

Ranked-choice Voting (RCV)

Ranked-choice voting will be used in the 2020 State Primary and General elections. Visit our RCV Resources page for more information about ranked-choice voting, including Frequently Asked Questions and sample ballots.

Contact the Elections Division

207-624-7650
cec.elections@maine.gov