[PORTLAND, ME] – The League of Women Voters of Maine (LWVME) reported that through 8:00 PM on Election Day, polling across the state has successfully concluded.
For the sixth time, LWVME deployed nonpartisan volunteer election observers to provide real time reports from about 100 polling locations in 80 towns around the state. This included an organized effort of more than 100 volunteers. Updates were posted throughout the day on Twitter.
“Our nonpartisan election observers feed us reports of things going well, and that’s by far what we hear — smoothly run polling places,” said Executive Director Anna Kellar. “This reinforces that voters should have full confidence in the electoral process and that their vote is counted. Maine voters experienced a free, safe, and accessible election.”
This preliminary data, complete as of 8:00 PM on Election Day, includes information on the rate at which voters are arriving to vote, the time voters waited in line to cast their ballots, disability access, and whether any irregularities were observed at the polls. Reports indicate a high voter turnout.
Anita Crofts, a volunteer who observed the polls in Naples, Casco, and Bridgton, remarked on her election observation experience that she “[sees] it as being a joyful witness to the democratic process.”
No major disruptions to the election process were observed across the state. Of the 100 polling locations that were monitored by the League on Election Day, observers noted that there were 38 locations with a greater than 10 minute wait to vote. Nine locations had a wait greater than 45 minutes.
“We are pleased that Maine voters have made their voices heard both on Election Day and with absentee voting,” Kellar added. “Our strong tradition of voter accessibility measures, like same-day voter registration, help Maine lead the nation in voter turnout.”
LWVME has worked with Mainers for Modern Elections since 2020 to ensure that the pandemic does not depress voter turnout, and that election officials make reasonable accommodations to ensure a safe and inclusive process for all voters.