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 seventh time in three years, LWVME deployed nonpartisan volunteer election observers to provide real time reports from various polling locations in 48 towns around the state. This included an organized effort of more than 51 volunteers. Updates were posted throughout the day on X, formally known as Twitter.
“Our nonpartisan election observers feed us reports of positive voting experiences, friendly poll workers, and democracy in action at the local level,” said Executive Director Anna Kellar. “This reinforces that voters should have full confidence in the electoral process and that their vote is counted.”
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.
One volunteer reported: "The voting process was very efficient and volunteers were very friendly. The voters also [greeted] each other and had friendly conversations. Great to see democracy in a small town!"
No major disruptions to the election process were observed across the state. Of the all polling locations that were monitored by the League on Election Day, observers noted that there were only two locations with a greater than 10 minute wait to vote and zero locations that had a wait greater than 45 minutes. Lines at the polls moved quickly despite voters needing time to fill out the eight question ballot.
Behind the scenes, municipal clerks and their staff have been working long, stressful hours for months to ensure that Maine’s elections remain secure, accessible, and safe. Because the work of election administrators is largely invisible, it also goes underappreciated. In recent years, partisan campaigns of misinformation have unfairly and inaccurately targeted these dedicated nonpartisan officials. The League would like to thank town clerks and poll workers for doing the essential work of administering democracy in Maine.
LWVME has worked with Mainers for Modern Elections since 2020 to ensure that fallout from the pandemic does not depress voter turnout, and that election officials make reasonable accommodations to ensure a safe and inclusive process for all voters.