Absentee voting has begun in Maine, with the state’s four Electoral College votes at stake, as well as a number of other national, statewide and local elections.
Maine is one of two states in the United States, the other being Nebraska, that does not use a winner-take-all system for all electors. In presidential elections, two electors are awarded to the winner of the statewide popular vote, with one elector each awarded to Maine’s 1st and 2nd districts.
A “Vote Here” sign at the entrance to the Waterville Middle School polling place during the election period on November 3, 2020 in Waterville, Maine. (Reuters/Elizabeth Franz)
Maine is mostly Democratic, but its vast 2nd Congressional District will be crucial to President Trump’s victory.
Maine is one of the Democratic-leaning states in the Northeast. President Biden won here by about 9 points in 2020, improving on Hillary Clinton’s lead four years ago. Nor has he voted Republican at the statewide level since 1988. He is ranked as a D candidate in the FOX News Power Rankings.
Like Nebraska, electors are allocated by congressional district. The winner of the statewide tally receives two votes, and one more vote goes to the winner of the presidential tally in each of the two precincts.
The small District 1 along the coast is a solid blue area. District 2 is primarily rural, covers nearly all of the state, and tends to be conservative.
Mr. Trump won the 2nd District by a 7.4 percentage point margin in the last election, and it is ranked as “likely R” for this term. The former president will aim for victory here to move one step closer to the 270 electoral votes needed to become president.
Key down-ballot races in today’s early voting states
Competition for the House of Representatives is also fierce in the same constituency.
Maine’s 2nd Congressional District: Incumbent Rep. Jared Golden is one of five Democrats running in a district that Trump won in the last presidential election (Golden won by 6 points). . The former Marine made headlines this year for being one of the first Democrats to question Biden’s mental sanity, saying he was “not sure” whether he would vote for him again. This time, he faces Maine congressman and former NASCAR driver Austin Theriault, who claims he wants “more balance and less extremism” in politics. This race is a toss-up in the power rankings.
How to vote in Maine
Information about pre-registration and early voting. For comprehensive and up-to-date information on voter eligibility, processes, and deadlines, visit Vote.gov and the Maine Elections website.
Trump can win on these three key issues, Michigan voters tell FOX
Vote by mail
Absentee ballots are beginning to be sent to voters, as clerks were required to receive printed ballots sent out by Saturday. Applicants do not need to provide a reason to receive a ballot. The state must receive ballot applications by Oct. 31, and the ballots must be delivered to county officials by Nov. 5.
Voters arrive at a polling place to vote on November 3, 2009 in Portland, Maine. (Reuters/Joel Page)
Obama to campaign for Harris in key states including Pennsylvania
early voting
Maine counties offer early voting, but start dates vary by region. Check the state website for more information. Residents can vote in person by absentee ballot until the Thursday before Election Day.
A ballot box is placed at a polling place ahead of Election Day at Waterville Middle School on November 2, 2020 in Waterville, Maine. (Reuters/Elizabeth Franz)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
voter registration
Maine residents can register to vote online or by mail until October 15th. You can also register in person during early voting and on Election Day.
Anders Hagström is a reporter for Fox News Digital, covering national politics and major breaking news. Send your tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com or Twitter:@Hagstrom_Anders.
