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Welcome to the Maine state page! Here, Maine organizers can access and document ongoing projects, current leadership positions, upcoming races, and other important information. This list is non-exhaustive, and state teams are encouraged to expand and adapt these pages to their organizing needs.
Welcome to the Maine state page! Here, Maine organizers can access and document ongoing projects, current leadership positions, upcoming races, and other important information. This list is non-exhaustive, and state teams are encouraged to expand and adapt these pages to their organizing needs.


== Voting ==
== Political Landscape of Maine==
===Partisan Composition of Maine===
Overall, Maine is considered a slightly blue state, with a [https://www.cookpolitical.com/cook-pvi/2022-partisan-voting-index/state-map-and-list Cook PVI] of D+2 as of 2022, regularly voting 50-55% Democrat in statewide races. Maine has a split US Senate delegation, with one Independent who caucuses with Democrats and one Republican. Both their US House seats and governorship are held by Democrats. Democrats also hold majorities in the state house (80-68-2 Independents) and state senate (22-13), as of 2/8/24, giving Democrats a state trifecta.
===Progressive Outlook for Maine===
The overall progressive strategy for Maine is hopeful. Progressives have a chance to enact change here with a state trifecta, and growth can be afforded. The focus should be on keeping Maine blue and primarying out uncooperative Democrats. As Maine is a closed primary state, it is recommended to register with whichever party you wish to participate in the primaries of. It should also be noted that Maine uses ranked-choice voting, so third party candidates are more viable than they would be in other states. Since ranked-choice general elections only apply to federal seats and the governorship, all being hotly contested by both major parties, it is unlikely.
==Get Involved ==
===Register to Vote in Maine ===
[[Maine/Voting]]
===Progressive Organizations in Maine===
Below is a list of progressive organizations in Maine. If you see a state organization that isn't on this list, please add it.


* '''[https://www.mainedems.org/ Maine Democrats]''': As Maine is a swing state with a history of electing moderates in statewide races, the state's Democratic party will probably be your best chance to leave a progressive footprint and ensure more progressives are winning the primaries.


'''Eligible to Vote:'''  
===Notable Campaigns in 2024===
Below is a list of progressive candidates or ballot measures in the 2024 election cycle for Maine. Non-progressive candidates may also be placed here if they are substantially to the left of their district's partisan lean and worth campaigning for. If you see a candidate or ballot measure that should be on this list, please add them.


To register, you must be a United States citizen, at least 16 years of age to pre-register to vote and have established a fixed principal home in Maine.
'''November 5th General Election'''


To vote in a Referendum or General Election, you must be registered in the community where you reside, and be at least 18 years of age. A 17 year old may vote in a Primary Election, if that person will be 18 by the General Election.
NOTE: While Maine uses ranked-choice voting for general elections to federal seats (US Senate, US House and governor), Maine does not use ranked-choice voting in general elections for state seats (state house, state senate) This led to, for instance, a Republican winning against two Independent candidates in Maine State House Seat 47 in 2022 despite only possessing a plurality of the vote.
* '''[https://jaredgoldenforcongress.com/ Jared Golden for US House ME-2:]''' Though he is certainly not progressive, his house district voted for Trump by double digits and he is the only person in ME-2 who can hold this seat for Democrats. In 2022, Golden won by several percent because he was facing off against a very unpopular challenger (someone who contested his race when he lost claiming RCV was unconstitutional). He's facing a much stronger candidate this time, so he could certainly use your support this election cycle.
===Run for Local Office===
An underrated way to impact change is to run for a local position! Please feel free to add information on doing so below.


'''Where to Vote?'''
[[Category:States]]
 
You can register to vote by filling out a voter registration card at your town office or city hall, through any Motor Vehicle branch office, in most state & federal social service agencies, or at voter registration drives.
 
You can also download and print a Maine voter registration application here. Please note that both sides of the card will print on one page.
 
 
If you cannot print the voter registration application, contact your town clerk to have a voter registration card mailed to you. A printed version of the voter registration card, with your original signature, must be kept on file by your town clerk, so the card cannot be transmitted electronically.
 
Completed voter registration cards may be hand delivered or mailed to your town office or city hall. Check this listing for telephone and mail contacts for each town and city.
 
When you register for the first time in Maine, you’ll need to provide identity documents that show you have established your voting residence in the State of Maine.
 
The following documents are acceptable proof of identification for the purposes of registering to vote:
 
* Government document or credential with photo ID (i.e. driver’s license, State ID, valid U.S. Passport, military ID, ID card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe)
* Government ID document/credential without photo (i.e. certified birth certificate or signed Social Security card)
* An official document that shows name and address of voter (i.e. eligibility for public benefits, utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck)
* Student photo ID from a state-approved public or private school or institute of higher education in Maine
* Verified unique identifier (Maine driver’s license number or last four numbers of Social Security Number)
 
There is no cut-off date for registering to vote in person at your town office or city hall.
 
'''Election Day'''
 
Every town and city has its own places where people vote, called voting places or "the polls". You can call your town office or city hall to find out where you vote. Voting places open between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., depending on the population of the town. Local officials can give you the exact opening time for your community. All voting places close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. You can find your polling place using the Voter Information Lookup Service
 
Online Absentee Ballot Request
 
Use this online service to request your absentee ballot electronically. The ballot will be sent to you via postal mail and must be returned to your municipal clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
 
'''Early Voting:'''
 
As soon as absentee ballots are available, 30 days before the election, you may vote in person at your town office. Voting dates and hours vary by town; check with your town clerk or look up your town on the Secretary of State's website. <ref>https://www.vote411.org/maine#early-voting</ref><ref>https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/voterguide.html</ref>

Latest revision as of 13:43, 29 August 2024

Welcome to the Maine state page! Here, Maine organizers can access and document ongoing projects, current leadership positions, upcoming races, and other important information. This list is non-exhaustive, and state teams are encouraged to expand and adapt these pages to their organizing needs.

Political Landscape of Maine

Partisan Composition of Maine

Overall, Maine is considered a slightly blue state, with a Cook PVI of D+2 as of 2022, regularly voting 50-55% Democrat in statewide races. Maine has a split US Senate delegation, with one Independent who caucuses with Democrats and one Republican. Both their US House seats and governorship are held by Democrats. Democrats also hold majorities in the state house (80-68-2 Independents) and state senate (22-13), as of 2/8/24, giving Democrats a state trifecta.

Progressive Outlook for Maine

The overall progressive strategy for Maine is hopeful. Progressives have a chance to enact change here with a state trifecta, and growth can be afforded. The focus should be on keeping Maine blue and primarying out uncooperative Democrats. As Maine is a closed primary state, it is recommended to register with whichever party you wish to participate in the primaries of. It should also be noted that Maine uses ranked-choice voting, so third party candidates are more viable than they would be in other states. Since ranked-choice general elections only apply to federal seats and the governorship, all being hotly contested by both major parties, it is unlikely.

Get Involved

Register to Vote in Maine

Maine/Voting

Progressive Organizations in Maine

Below is a list of progressive organizations in Maine. If you see a state organization that isn't on this list, please add it.

  • Maine Democrats: As Maine is a swing state with a history of electing moderates in statewide races, the state's Democratic party will probably be your best chance to leave a progressive footprint and ensure more progressives are winning the primaries.

Notable Campaigns in 2024

Below is a list of progressive candidates or ballot measures in the 2024 election cycle for Maine. Non-progressive candidates may also be placed here if they are substantially to the left of their district's partisan lean and worth campaigning for. If you see a candidate or ballot measure that should be on this list, please add them.

November 5th General Election

NOTE: While Maine uses ranked-choice voting for general elections to federal seats (US Senate, US House and governor), Maine does not use ranked-choice voting in general elections for state seats (state house, state senate) This led to, for instance, a Republican winning against two Independent candidates in Maine State House Seat 47 in 2022 despite only possessing a plurality of the vote.

  • Jared Golden for US House ME-2: Though he is certainly not progressive, his house district voted for Trump by double digits and he is the only person in ME-2 who can hold this seat for Democrats. In 2022, Golden won by several percent because he was facing off against a very unpopular challenger (someone who contested his race when he lost claiming RCV was unconstitutional). He's facing a much stronger candidate this time, so he could certainly use your support this election cycle.

Run for Local Office

An underrated way to impact change is to run for a local position! Please feel free to add information on doing so below.