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THE 2026 ELECTION EDITIONTHE RACES ↗CANDIDATE RECORDS ↗YOUR TOWN ↗FOLLOW THE MONEY ↗VOTER RESOURCES ↗
An independent Maine election guide · November 3, 2026

Your vote deserves the full story.

Know the candidates. Compare their records. Follow the money. Your guide to Maine’s 2026 elections.

Compare Senate candidates Get ready to vote
Maine State House in Augusta, with its green dome and granite facade
Maine State House, Augusta · Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Election Desk.

Maine / November 2026
Research notes · October 8
The ballot explained · Voting method

Ranked-choice voting is back on the federal ballot. Here's the official guide.

Maine's Secretary of State has published 2026 ranked-choice sample ballots for the U.S. Senate and the 2nd Congressional District, along with instructions for marking rankings. Look at the sample ballot before you vote; don't assume the same ballot style applies to every office.

See Maine's official examples ↗
State house · 151 districts

Who's running for the Maine House?

The Maine House Clerk maintains a district-by-district candidate directory. It is marked unofficial pending comparison with the Secretary of State's final list.

Browse all House districts ↗
EDITOR'S NOTE: These are source guides, not endorsements or individual fact-check verdicts. Candidate rosters and local ballots can change; official election authorities take precedence.
THE BALLOT DESK · 2026

Choose a race. Follow the evidence.

Pick your race, then dig into the issues, money and public record.

Profiles show candidates identified in available general-election listings, not a certified exhaustive roster. Official candidate lists and declared write-ins should be checked for updates. No policy position is implied by party affiliation.

See official candidate list ↗

OPEN A RESEARCH FILE

Compare the issuesPolicy positions, votes and legislative context
Source-backed comparison · October 8, 2026

U.S. Senate: What they say. What they've done.

Compare Susan Collins and Troy Jackson using campaign statements and individually documented legislative actions. A vote in the U.S. Senate is not directly equivalent to a vote in the Maine Legislature.

Working forests & logging 6 researched source records · enacted laws, proposals and committee action

Susan Collins

2025: Introduced a federal disaster-relief proposal for logging businesses. Original announcement ↗

2024: Advanced committee funding proposals for forest research and community forests. Committee details ↗

Troy Jackson

2019: Sponsored an enacted law expanding bargaining provisions for forest harvesters and haulers. LD 1459 ↗

2023: Sponsored enacted logger and trucker labor-standards legislation. LD 1874 ↗

2023: Sought to introduce public-land clear-cutting restrictions in Allagash. Legislative Council appeal ↗

Method: The candidates held different offices. Committee passage and bill introduction are not final enactment. See structured evidence records for individual source types and verification labels.

THE ISSUES INDEX

Find a subject. Follow the evidence.

One issue at a time, with sources and the full record a click away.

01 / 03
Show:
Every entry has a linked source. Where a comparable legislative record hasn't been checked, we show a research gap rather than guess.

Method: Candidate statements are attributed, not independently endorsed. Voting records cite specific roll calls and their procedural context. This section is a selected sample, not a comprehensive career assessment. Additional research is ongoing.

In-depth issue guide · Researched October 8, 2026

Reproductive rights: beyond the sound bites

A documented comparison of Susan Collins and Troy Jackson. We distinguish candidates’ stated positions, recorded legislative actions, and the consequences of judicial decisions. Records span different levels of government and are not identical policy tests.

Evidence standard: The dated votes and bill texts below link to primary sources. Candidate explanations are attributed to the candidate. This is a selected record, not an exhaustive study of either career.
Republican · U.S. senator

Susan Collins

Collins says she supports statutory protections similar to those in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. In February 2022 she introduced the Reproductive Choice Act with Sen. Lisa Murkowski; in August she joined the Reproductive Freedom for All Act, which also addressed contraception access.

She opposed the Women’s Health Protection Act, arguing that it reached beyond restoring Roe and could displace existing laws and conscience protections. She voted against advancing H.R. 3755 on February 28, 2022.

Her explanation and February bill ↗
August 2022 proposal ↗

Democrat · Former Maine Senate president

Troy Jackson

Jackson voted to enact LD 1619 in July 2023. The law allows abortion after viability when a licensed physician, applying the relevant medical standard of care, determines the procedure is necessary. That replaced the narrower post-viability statutory conditions that had applied previously.

The recorded vote establishes his support for the enacted Maine measure; it does not by itself establish his position on every possible federal abortion bill.

Maine Senate roll call #483 ↗
LD 1619 bill history ↗

Evidence timeline

Collins votes to confirm Brett Kavanaugh

Collins voted Yea on the Supreme Court nomination. The Senate confirmed him 50–48 (one senator voted “Present”). Kavanaugh later joined the majority in Dobbs, which overturned Roe. A confirmation vote is not a vote on a particular future decision, but it is a consequential, documented action.

Official Senate confirmation roll call ↗

Different approaches to federal abortion legislation

Collins and Murkowski introduced the Reproductive Choice Act. That same day, Collins voted Nay on cloture for the motion to proceed to the Women’s Health Protection Act (H.R. 3755). The 46–48 cloture result meant the chamber did not advance the bill on that motion; it was not a final-passage vote.

Official Senate roll call #65 ↗ · Reproductive Choice Act text ↗

Dobbs overturns Roe; Collins criticizes ruling

Following the Supreme Court ruling, Collins called overturning the longstanding precedent a destabilizing decision and argued that a baseline federal protection should remain. The public statement provides her response to a ruling joined by a justice she voted to confirm.

Collins’s full statement ↗

Collins joins another federal codification proposal

Collins joined Sens. Tim Kaine, Lisa Murkowski, and Kyrsten Sinema in introducing the Reproductive Freedom for All Act. Its stated purpose was to establish federal abortion protections and protect contraception access. Introduction is distinct from enactment.

Proposal announcement ↗

Jackson votes for Maine LD 1619

Jackson voted Yea on enactment; the Maine Senate passed it 20–11 with four excused. The bill became law on July 19, 2023. Maine’s current statute uses a licensed physician’s professional judgment and the applicable standard of care for abortions after viability.

Original roll call ↗ · Statutory text ↗

Questions a voter may reasonably ask

What is the difference between Collins’s proposal and the Women’s Health Protection Act?

Collins’s February 2022 proposal aimed to write the central Roe and Casey framework into federal statute. She argued that the broader Women’s Health Protection Act would override other longstanding statutory protections, including conscience protections. Understanding whether that distinction is persuasive requires reading both bills’ actual provisions—not simply assigning a “for” or “against” label based on one procedural vote.

Collins’s stated objections ↗

Does Maine’s law allow abortion after viability without restrictions?

No. Title 22 §1598 says an abortion after viability may be performed only when a licensed physician determines it is necessary in the physician’s professional judgment, using the applicable standard of care. Debate over how broad that clinical standard is should not be conflated with the absence of any legal condition.

Read the statute ↗

Can Collins’s and Jackson’s legislative votes be compared directly?

Only with context. Collins voted on whether the U.S. Senate should proceed to debate a particular federal bill; Jackson voted on final enactment of a Maine law. The proposals addressed different legal questions and were subject to different legislative procedures. Both votes illuminate policy choices, but they are not identical tests.

Accountability case · documented, not a fact-check rating

Collins’s Kavanaugh vote and the overturning of Roe

The documented sequence is: Collins voted to confirm Justice Kavanaugh in 2018; he later joined the majority overturning Roe in 2022; Collins publicly criticized the decision. Readers can examine the confirmation vote and her reaction side by side. This evidence alone does not prove what she knew Kavanaugh would decide in the future.

Confirmation vote ↗ · Collins’s response ↗

Editorial note: This page provides selected findings only. It does not assess candidate motives, claim identical votes, or imply any specific bill became law without checking its disposition. More recent 2026 statements and additional legislation remain to be added. Last researched October 8, 2026.

Compare the issuesSearchable positions and sourced evidence · Governor
THE ISSUES INDEX · GOVERNOR

Find a subject. Follow the evidence.

Compare documented positions and actions. Where independent verification is incomplete, follow the candidate questionnaire rather than assuming a position.

Healthcare

Public-option proposals, universal coverage, and affordability

Hannah Pingree

Proposes a state public insurance option available to people and businesses outside MaineCare; also supports Medicare for All federally.

Read source ↗

Bobby Charles

Review Charles’s healthcare responses and proposals in the multi-candidate 2026 guide; no single proposal is summarized here without a directly verified passage.

Read source ↗

Rick Bennett

Has called for a path to universal healthcare, citing Maine’s 2021 healthcare coverage law as a possible foundation.

Read source ↗

Evidence status: sourced candidate positions; legislative votes and any unverified policy claims require further review. This is not a comprehensive ballot roster.

Compare the issuesSearchable positions and sourced evidence · U.S. House · District 1
THE ISSUES INDEX · U.S. HOUSE · DISTRICT 1

Find a subject. Follow the evidence.

Compare documented positions and actions. Where independent verification is incomplete, follow the candidate questionnaire rather than assuming a position.

Healthcare

Health coverage, ACA protections and prescription drugs

Chellie Pingree

Supports Affordable Care Act coverage and protections, and advocates measures to lower prescription-drug costs.

Read source ↗

Ron Russell

See Russell’s 2026 candidate questionnaire for his own responses on healthcare; a source-checked legislative comparison is pending.

Read source ↗

Evidence status: sourced candidate positions; legislative votes and any unverified policy claims require further review. This is not a comprehensive ballot roster.

Compare the issuesSearchable positions and sourced evidence · U.S. House · District 2
THE ISSUES INDEX · U.S. HOUSE · DISTRICT 2

Find a subject. Follow the evidence.

Compare documented positions and actions. Where independent verification is incomplete, follow the candidate questionnaire rather than assuming a position.

Healthcare

Medicare for All, Medicaid and rural care

Matt Dunlap

Advocates Medicare for All and protecting and expanding public health coverage.

Read source ↗

Paul LePage

Has said he would protect Medicare and Social Security; his record as governor includes opposition to Medicaid expansion. His campaign emphasizes reimbursement and keeping healthcare facilities open.

Read source ↗

Evidence status: sourced candidate positions; legislative votes and any unverified policy claims require further review. This is not a comprehensive ballot roster.

On the public recordDocumented actions, past officeholding and source context
THE PUBLIC RECORD · DOCUMENT FILE

What the records establish

Leadership records, candidate interviews and the boundaries of what these sources prove.

OFFICIAL STATE RECORD · 2019

Hannah Pingree appointed to lead Maine policy planning

Governor Janet Mills appointed former House Speaker Hannah Pingree to lead the Office of Policy Management in January 2019. The state described a portfolio spanning health policy, climate, workforce and strategic planning. This documents a government role, not personal responsibility for every subsequent policy outcome.

Read original source ↗
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY · 2009–2010

Hannah Pingree served as Speaker of the Maine House

The Legislature’s official historical listing identifies Pingree as Speaker during 2009–2010. This establishes legislative leadership but does not substitute for a bill-by-bill voting record.

Read original source ↗
CANDIDATE RESPONSES · 2026

All three gubernatorial candidates answered AARP questions

AARP Maine published questions to Hannah Pingree, Bobby Charles and Rick Bennett on home services, utility costs and caregiving. The interviews allow readers to compare the candidates’ own answers on the same topics.

Read original source ↗

Research note: A candidate statement is evidence of a stated position, not proof that a policy was enacted. Past roles or executive actions are not legislative roll-call votes.

On the public recordDocumented actions, past officeholding and source context
THE PUBLIC RECORD · DOCUMENT FILE

What the records establish

Official federal legislative and campaign-finance sources for this contest.

OFFICE HISTORY

Chellie Pingree’s tenure in Congress

Pingree has represented Maine’s 1st Congressional District since 2009. Her congressional record can be examined through original House roll calls and bill sponsorship records; legislative actions are different from campaign-position summaries.

Read original source ↗
VOTING RECORD LOOKUP

Search official U.S. House roll calls

The House Clerk publishes individual roll calls with legislation, vote counts and representative positions. Search a specific measure and read its text before characterizing a yea or nay vote.

Read original source ↗
CANDIDATE & FINANCE RECORDS · 2026

Compare both District 1 campaigns

The FEC publishes candidate and committee filings. Compare the same coverage dates and do not add outside independent spending to a candidate’s receipts.

Read original source ↗

Research note: A candidate statement is evidence of a stated position, not proof that a policy was enacted. Past roles or executive actions are not legislative roll-call votes.

On the public recordDocumented actions, past officeholding and source context
THE PUBLIC RECORD · DOCUMENT FILE

What the records establish

Campaign statements, former executive actions and independently reported candidate responses.

CANDIDATE PLATFORM · 2026

Matt Dunlap’s published policy agenda

Dunlap’s campaign states support for Medicare for All, affordable housing construction, organized labor, and reproductive rights. These are campaign positions; the source alone does not establish enacted legislation.

Read original source ↗
EXECUTIVE RECORD · 2017–2018

Paul LePage’s archived gubernatorial veto list

The State of Maine preserves the 128th Legislature bills vetoed by former Governor Paul LePage, including measures addressing health services and housing. Individual veto entries and accompanying messages are necessary to assess the reason for each action.

Read original source ↗
ISSUE QUESTIONNAIRE · 2026

Both candidates on housing and energy

Maine Morning Star collected or documented candidate positions on construction, permitting, heating costs and electricity generation. Where an answer comes from a debate or campaign statement, it is attributed accordingly.

Read original source ↗

Research note: A candidate statement is evidence of a stated position, not proof that a policy was enacted. Past roles or executive actions are not legislative roll-call votes.

On the public recordDocumented actions, past officeholding and source context
THE PUBLIC RECORD · DOCUMENT FILE

What the records establish

Reusable method for comparing Maine Senate and House candidates district by district.

OFFICIAL ELECTION CHECK

State-level candidate names and districts

Find a voter’s district using Maine’s official lookup. Do not infer an election district solely from a candidate’s hometown or from a municipality shared across districts.

Read original source ↗
LEGISLATIVE RECORD

Maine Legislature bill history

After identifying a district and candidate, use official bill history and recorded votes where available. A proposed bill, committee vote and enacted law represent different stages.

Read original source ↗

Research note: A candidate statement is evidence of a stated position, not proof that a policy was enacted. Past roles or executive actions are not legislative roll-call votes.

On the public recordDocumented actions, past officeholding and source context
THE PUBLIC RECORD · DOCUMENT FILE

What the records establish

Source-led framework for municipality-specific elections.

OFFICIAL MUNICIPAL RECORD

Local ballot and candidate notices

Local candidate slates and referendum wording are maintained by municipalities. Use the town selector and municipal sources; some towns hold municipal elections on dates other than November 3.

Read original source ↗
DISCLOSURES

Local campaign finance coverage varies

Availability of contribution reports depends on local law, office and filing authority. Absence of a filing in a statewide search is not proof that a candidate received no contributions.

Read original source ↗

Research note: A candidate statement is evidence of a stated position, not proof that a policy was enacted. Past roles or executive actions are not legislative roll-call votes.

Follow the moneyCampaign receipts, expenditures and original filings
The money trail · Public disclosures

Follow the money.

Candidate fundraising is only part of the picture. Explore reported campaign receipts and spending, then look separately at independent political advertising. Every figure should be read with its reporting period.

How to read the numbers

Receipts are not the same as individual donations

Campaign receipts can include individual and committee contributions, transfers, and other permitted categories. Adding them all to an “individual donations” total would be misleading.

Outside spending is not a contribution to a campaign

Independent expenditures are made without coordination with a candidate or campaign, and should be reported separately from candidate committee spending. A group spending on ads is not necessarily the same thing as a candidate receiving that money.

Why aren't all races showing totals yet?

We publish a number only after matching the right candidate and authorized committees, date window, transaction categories, and original filing. Maine state and federal reporting systems use different datasets and filing schedules.

Accountability & fact checksSpecific claims, records and sourcing
Evidence over rhetoric

Accountability & fact checks

An independent space to investigate specific public claims, compare them with documents, and explain what the evidence does—or does not—show.

Claims desk

Fact-check tracker

No published fact checks yet.

We won't manufacture ratings or publish unsupported allegations just to fill the page. Each future entry will include an exact quote, date, original source, evidence links, context, and correction history.

Public records

Follow the money

Campaign contribution and expenditure analysis will use original records, consistent date ranges, and clear distinctions among candidate committees, PACs, and independent spending.

Maine Ethics Commission ↗

Analysis coming soon. No donor comparisons have been independently verified for this prototype.

Source library · checked October 8, 2026

Read the primary sources

Original election documents are the foundation of this guide. These links take you directly to the public records rather than unsourced summaries.

Search Maine House districtsCandidate listings, districts 112–127 · first verified batch

STATE HOUSE · DISTRICT DIRECTORY

Find a district or candidate.

Search by district number, town, candidate, or party. Initial coverage includes House districts 112–127. Names and party designations follow the House Clerk’s September 30, 2026 unofficial list. These are candidates associated with districts, not a personalized ballot lookup. The list must be checked against the Secretary of State’s updates before voting. District numbers cannot reliably be determined from a candidate’s hometown alone.

Data note: 2026 names are drawn from the House Clerk’s unofficial September 30 list. The Secretary of State’s later withdrawals and replacements take precedence. This directory is not a personalized ballot; use the official lookup to verify your district.

Sources: House Clerk’s unofficial candidate list ↗ · Secretary of State candidate list and replacements ↗. This directory includes 37 of 151 House districts (snapshot: September 30, 2026). Unlisted districts are not necessarily uncontested. Absence of a district is not absence of a race.

Local electionsMunicipal ballots and town-by-town sources
Your town · Your ballot

Local elections matter, too.

City councils, school boards, municipal bond questions and local services affect life close to home. Select a Maine community to view the election information we've confirmed in official municipal records.

These are municipality guides, not personalized ballots. Districts and precincts may vary by residential address. Confirm your ballot with Maine’s official address lookup.

Research update: October 8, 2026. We will expand coverage as municipal clerks publish rosters and sample ballots. Absence of an item here does not mean it is absent from your ballot.

Official voting resources

Make your voting plan

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Use Maine's official election services for the most accurate personal ballot and voting information.

Registration

Check registration deadlines

Online registration closes October 13 at 5 p.m.; mailed registrations must be received by close of business October 13. You can register in person until polls close November 3.

Official voter guide ↗
Your ballot

Find your polling place

Look up your address on Maine's official site for your polling location and ballot information. We don't collect your address.

Official address lookup ↗
Absentee ballots

Request or track a ballot

Regular absentee-ballot requests must be received by close of municipal business October 29 (special-circumstance exceptions may apply). Completed ballots must reach your municipal clerk by 8 p.m. November 3.

Official absentee service ↗
Election details

Review current guidance

See updated candidate lists, municipal voting locations, absentee drop boxes and election notices.

Upcoming elections ↗
PUBLIC RECORDS · WHAT TO CHECK NEXT

The Maine Ethics Commission lists October 23, 2026 as the deadline for 11-day pre-general candidate, PAC, ballot-question and party-committee reports. Financial snapshots on this website are dated and may not include those filings yet. Check the official reporting calendar ↗ · Federal campaign filings ↗

Our approach

Independent. Transparent. Maine-focused.

This is an independently developed civic information project, not affiliated with the Maine Secretary of State or any candidate or political party.

Our goal is to present comparable, sourced information across candidates and separate reporting from interpretation. An open question is not a negative finding.

Editorial standards

Evidence: Link original records wherever possible.

Fairness: Apply the same standards to everyone.

Corrections: Document substantive corrections with dates.

Transparency: Clearly label incomplete research and unfinished features.

Research edition · Updated October 8, 2026. Candidate rosters must be rechecked against official updates. Sources: Maine Secretary of State, Upcoming Elections and Voter Guide. Editorial policy comparisons remain in research.