What we observed during the November 2024 election.
[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.
This preliminary data, complete as of 8:30 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, and whether any irregularities were observed at the polls.
The day started hopeful: communities hosted bake sales at polling places, small towns (with populations around one hundred people) opened their doors to find voters already waiting in line, and eighteen year-olds were excited to vote for the first time. At one polling place, reading glasses were available for anyone who forgot to bring a pair. At another, there were sweets and flowers ready to greet voters.
“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.”
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 about 44 locations with a greater than 10 minute wait to vote and 18 locations that had a wait greater than 45 minutes. Voter turnout is expected to be high; it’s likely a high number of voters utilized same-day voter registration, which also contributed to long lines at some polling locations. This evening we had reports that the voter registration line was approximately two hours long at the Portland Exposition Building.
One of our observers noted: “Quiet orderly voting experience. A nice mix of reverence and excitement. It was encouraging to see the voting process working as it should.”
Law Enforcement
It is not unusual for law enforcement to be present at polling locations. Uniformed offices were common at polling places in the 2022 election, and even more so in Lewiston in 2023 following the mass shooting event. However, we noticed an increase in uniformed law enforcement officers being present at polling places this year, which became more prevalent in Portland following swatting incidents at schools.
Racial Intimidation
Several incidents of racial intimidation were reported by our observers. In each case, a non-white voter was approached, harassed, and/or intimidated at their polling place. In one case, the election warden was immediately notified, and in all cases, voters still cast their ballots despite the harassment. While these incidents have not been common in Maine, or at least widely reported by our observers in previous years, it is possible that these incidents stem from the recent spread of disinformation on noncitizen and immigrant voting.
Signature Gatherers
Election observers noted the presence of several signature gatherers at polling places: a statewide petition seeking to put voter ID on the ballot in 2025, a petition by the Maine Gun Safety Coalition to implement a true ERPO law, and a petition in Lewiston to enact Ranked Choice Voting for their municipal elections.
The League views the "Voter ID for Maine" campaign as a broad attack on voting rights that would disenfranchise poor, disabled, rural, and BIPOC voters. The initiative also rolls back ongoing absentee voting and limits the use of ballot dropboxes. The League supports full voter participation by all eligible American citizens, and we oppose efforts to create new barriers that block citizens' constitutional right to vote.
Town Clerks
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. One observer reported that their “Town Clerk and her staff are committed to enfranchising everyone who is eligible.” Because the work of election administrators is largely invisible, it also goes underappreciated. Partisan campaigns of misinformation have unfairly and inaccurately targeted these dedicated nonpartisan officials. The League thanks Town Clerks and the Secretary of State’s office for their work in ensuring that our elections are transparent and fair.
The League of Women Voters of Maine is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.
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.