By Lauren McCauley | Editor
“There's nothing hugely surprising about this data. What's most exciting about the data is the level of enthusiasm.” - Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, on the high number of Mainers who cast their midterm ballots early ahead of Tuesday’s election.
Voters wait in line on the last day of early, in-person voting at Portland City Hall on Oct. 29, 2026. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)
ELECTION 2026
By Kaitlyn Budion
This Election Day, Maine residents are considering a lot on their ballots, from local initiatives to statewide elections, including several races with national stakes.
EDUCATION
By Eesha Pendharkar
The group aiming to limit what sports and school facilities transgender students can access submitted more than 4,000 new signatures to the Secretary of State’s office on Monday to put the question on the 2027 ballot, after falling short of this year’s deadline.
ELECTION 2026
By Emma Davis
Early voting numbers have surpassed the last midterm election in 2022 and are approaching those from the 2024 presidential election. Also, far more voters have cast early ballots in-person than have mailed back absentee ballots, a continuation of a trend seen in recent years.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
As a potential Democratic wave looms, Trump’s DOJ angles for last-minute power over midterms | Jonathan Shorman, States Newsroom
US Supreme Court rejects Trump DOJ’s attempt to freeze California vote counting | Jonathan Shorman, States Newsroom
Michigan Democrats rally behind El-Sayed as Stevens goes rogue to support Rogers | Ben Solis, Michigan Advance
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