Maine 2023 local ballot measures

Maine Local Ballot Measures
2024 » « 2022
Maine ballot measures
State measures
Local measures
2023 ballot measures
State measures
Local measures

Ballotpedia covered two local ballot measure in two counties in Maine.

In 2023, Ballotpedia covered local ballot measures that appeared on the ballot for voters within the 100 largest cities in the U.S., within state capitals, and throughout California. You can review the coverage scope of the local ballot measures project here. In 2023, the project's scope includes Portland.

Ballotpedia covered a selection of election-related, such as electoral systems like ranked-choice voting, and policing-related ballot measures outside of the largest cities.

See also: Local ballot measure elections in 2023

November 7

Cumberland County

See also: Cumberland County, Maine ballot measures

• Portland, Maine, Question A, Rent Control Exception Initiative (November 2023):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported exempting owners of nine or fewer property units from the city's rent control ordinance.

A "no" vote opposed exempting owners of nine or fewer property units from the city's rent control ordinance.

June 13

Cumberland County

See also: Cumberland County, Maine ballot measures

• Portland, Maine, Question A, Rent Control and Tenant Protections Initiative (June 2023):  ✖

A "yes" vote supported allowing for the establishment of new Base Rents at the time of a new tenancy, but only in instances when the prior tenant moves out voluntarily.

A "no" vote opposed allowing for the establishment of new Base Rents at the time of a new tenancy, but only in instances when the prior tenant moves out voluntarily.

Kennebec County

See also: Kennebec County, Maine ballot measures

• Augusta, Maine, Question 1, School Budget Measure (June 2023):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported approving the City of Augusta School Budget for K-12 education.

A "no" vote opposed approving the City of Augusta School Budget for K-12 education.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Maine

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Maine.

How to vote in Maine

Poll times

In Maine, municipalities with a population of 500 or more open their polls between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., while municipalities with a population of less than 500 open their polls between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. All polls close at 8:00 p.m. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Maine, one 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. 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."

Voters can return completed registration cards in person or by mail to their town office or city hall, any Motor Vehicle branch office, most state & federal social service agencies, or a voter registration drive. There is no deadline for voter registration if completed in person. If registering by mail, the deadline is 21 days prior to the election.

When registering for the first time in Maine, voters must provide documents verifying their identity and residence. The following documents are acceptable identification for the purpose of registering to vote:

• Government ID with a photo (i.e. driver’s license, State ID, valid U.S. Passport, military ID, ID card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe)
• Government ID without photo (i.e. certified birth certificate or signed Social Security card)
• Other official document showing the 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
• Maine driver’s license number or last four digits of Social Security Number

Automatic registration

On June 19, 2019, Gov. Janet Mills signed an automatic voter registration bill into law that was scheduled for implementation in 2022. The law registers voters through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Maine has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Governor Janet T. Mills (D) signed L.D. 1126 into law on July 9, 2021, allowing online voter registration in Maine. This legislation went into effect on November 1, 2023.

Same-day registration

Maine allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Maine, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Maine does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. As of January 2025, six states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, and New Hampshire — had passed laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration. However, only two of those states' laws were in effect, in Arizona and New Hampshire. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allowed noncitizens to vote in some local elections as of November 2024. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The Maine voter information lookup service allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Maine does not require voters to present identification while voting. If a voter registers to vote on Election Day, he or she must provide identification and proof of residence.

Additional elections

See also: Maine elections, 2023

Cumberland County

January 10, 2023

• Julia Lester and Sarah Otterson recall, Maine School Administrative District 17, Maine (2022-2023)

See also

• Local ballot measure elections in 2023