AUGUSTA, MAINE – Today, September 15, is National Voter Registration Day, a nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to celebrating democracy and registering voters.
"Registering to vote is the first step for every citizen to participate in our democracy and have your voice heard," said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. "We like to say that every day in Maine is voter registration day because in our state you can even register to vote on Election Day, but this holiday is an important reminder of the fundamental right to vote and have your voice heard."
Secretary Bellows will visit voter registration events around the state today to speak with Mainers about the importance of registering to vote. She is available to do in interviews upon request.
To register to vote in Maine, voters must be Maine residents, U.S. citizens, and at least 16 years old, though only Mainers who will be 18 years old on or before November 3, 2026 may vote in the General Election. When registering for the first time, voters must provide proof of residency and identity. Current or former incarceration status does not disqualify any Mainer from registering to vote or casting their ballot. Incarcerated persons at a correctional facility or county jail may register to vote in the Maine municipality where they established residency prior to incarceration.
Maine does not currently offer a voter registration lookup tool, but voters can contact their town or city clerk if they are unsure if they are already registered to vote, or if their information is up-to-date. Contact information for municipal clerks and registrars is available at https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/munic.html.
Maine has same day voter registration, meaning that Mainers may register to vote and cast their ballot on the same day, even Election Day. Online voter registration at maine.gov/vote is available through 5 pm on October 13 (21 days before Election Day). Registrations done by mail need to be received by the municipal clerk of the voter by that date as well. Automatic voter registration during Bureau of Motor Vehicle transactions is available through October 27 (7 days before Election Day). After those deadlines, registrations must be done in person at the voter’s municipality.
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