Per the provisions of Maine election laws, prospective candidates can begin collecting signatures on January 1, of election year. Through this petition process, candidates qualify to have their names placed on the ballot for either the primary election or general election.

 

Members of the Democratic, Green Independent, Libertarian or Republican parties seeking their party’s nomination must submit their completed petition forms to the office of the Secretary of State by the advertised March date. The primary election takes place on the second Tuesday in June.

 

The general election will take place on the first Tuesday in November.

 

The Elections Division within the Maine Department of the Secretary of State provides nomination petition forms to candidates at its office in the Burton M. Cross State Office Building, 4th floor, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta.

 

The number of signatures required varies depending on the office and whether the candidate is affiliated with a political party. The Candidate’s Guide to Ballot Access, which includes detailed instructions for completing and circulating nomination petitions, is now available on the Maine Department of the Secretary of State website.