Tag: maine
-
Maine updates campaign finance laws, passes one other election-related bill in 2026
The Maine Legislature adjourned its 2026 regular session on April 29 after enacting two election-related bills, both of which were signed by Gov. Janet Mills (D). One of those bills was LD 2000, which requires party committees to report all expenditures made to influence a campaign. It also changes various thresholds for when candidates must…
-
Eight candidates are running for Maine’s two U.S. House districts — the most since 2014
This year’s filing deadline for candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maine was March 16, 2026. The number of candidates running for the U.S. House in Maine is the most since 2014. Eight candidates — five Democrats and three Republicans — are running for Maine’s two congressional districts. That’s four candidates per…
-
Over the past two weeks, 10 new ballot measures were certified in six states — Alabama, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, and Oklahoma
As of April 14, 94 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 36 states, 10 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years over the past decade (2014 to 2024). Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity during the past two weeks: The last signature…
-
A look at the June 9 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maine
Three candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maine on June 9. As of April 2026, Janet T. Mills (D) and Graham Platner (D) lead in media attention, fundraising, polling, and endorsements. The winner of the primary will face incumbent Susan Collins (R) in the general election. According to the New…
-
Maine Supreme Court says bill expanding ranked-choice voting is unconstitutional
On April 6, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a bill expanding ranked-choice voting (RCV) to general elections for governor and the state Legislature would violate the state’s constitution. Maine currently uses RCV in elections for Congress and president, as well as presidential primaries and primaries for governor and the state legislature. In 2016,…
-
Maine ballot initiative requiring public school sports teams designated for girls or boys to be limited to students of the corresponding sex is certified to go before the legislature
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) announced on March 17 that Protect Girls Sports in Maine had submitted a sufficient number of signatures to qualify its initiative for the ballot. The initiative would require that public school sports teams designated for girls or boys be limited to students of the corresponding sex, as recorded…
-
Maine legislators weigh expanding state's ranked-choice voting system
On Feb. 10, Maine legislators approved a bill requiring the use of ranked-choice voting to elect the governor and members of the state legislature. Before advancing the legislation to Gov. Janet Mills (D), the legislature is waiting for advice from the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. In the ranked-choice voting system currently used in Maine, a…
-
Maine is one of four states that could see a ballot initiative requiring public school sports teams designated for girls or boys to be limited to students of the corresponding sex
The campaign Protect Girls Sports in Maine submitted more than 82,000 signatures in support of a ballot initiative that would require that public school sports teams designated for girls or boys be limited to students of the corresponding sex, as recorded on their original birth certificate. On Feb. 2, the campaign submitted petitions with Maine…
-
Election results from Dec. 2, 2025
On Dec. 2, 2025, elections were held in six states for 17 offices. The following states held elections: Georgia, Maine, Mississippi, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Tennessee. Georgia: In Georgia, elections took place for the Georgia House of Representatives, Atlanta City Council, and Atlanta Public Schools school board. In the special general election runoff for…
-
Twenty-three states have amended their absentee/mail-in voting laws so far this year
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Maine voters defeated Question 1, which would have changed the state's absentee voting laws, limited ballot drop boxes, and required voter ID for individuals voting both in person and by absentee ballot. As of 12 p.m. EST on Nov. 5, the vote was 63.5%-36.5%, with 89% of votes in. While Mainers…