Upholding Democracy and Ballot Access in Maine

Protecting the Tools Voters Rely On

In Maine, two‑thirds of voters rejected a ballot proposal that would have sharply rolled back voting access. The vote took place in 2025, ahead of key 2026 races, including U.S. Senate, Governor, and the state’s 2nd Congressional District. The measure would have eliminated two days of absentee voting, taken away ongoing absentee status for many seniors and people with disabilities, and capped ballot drop boxes at one per town. Those changes would have weakened the very tools rural residents, young people, elders, and people with disabilities use to make sure their votes count.

Even before all votes were counted, the outcome was clear: Mainers across the political spectrum stood up for their democracy and said no to sweeping restrictions. This decisive victory reflected coordinated work of Rural Democracy grantees, including Food AND Medicine, Maine People’s Alliance, Maine Youth Power, and the Wabanaki Alliance. Maine Youth Power played a leading role in engaging young and rural voters across the state.

Bringing the Campaign to Community Events

Maine Youth Power reached thousands of Mainers by showing up where civic life was already happening. Organizers talked with voters at more than 10 small‑town Pride festivals, protests, and community events. Their team ran nine weekly canvasses with more than 75 volunteers, using each conversation to talk through what was at stake in the Save Maine Absentee Voting initiative. 

On college campuses, Maine Youth Power tabled with students to connect them directly to absentee voting tools, then deployed 12 intensive Get Out the Vote shifts in Orono and Old Town during the campaign’s critical final days. Across all efforts, they made it clear that the proposal would make absentee voting harder and cut off options that rural, young, and disabled voters depend on.

Sustained Organizing Delivers Wins

Together, these efforts helped defeat a sweeping voter‑suppression measure and demonstrated the power of sustained organizing in rural states. They showed that when young people are trusted with responsibility and real resources, they can protect the tools voters need and deliver durable wins for democracy.