INTRODUCTION
This report examines and assesses the state of democracy in Maine along several dimensions using indicators based on publicly available data, published reports, and research conducted by the League of Women Voters of Maine (LWVME) and Maine Citizens for Clean Elections (MCCE). These organizations work together to protect and strengthen civic participation in our democratic institutions. We believe that a solid foundation of knowledge and measurable outcomes are necessary to craft and sustain the public policies that support and protect an inclusive democracy. This is the third edition of our report, “Maine: The State of Our Democracy,” and it sets a baseline for our continuing efforts in advocacy, civic participation, and voter engagement.
State of Maine's Democracy
Published July 2025
We’re living through an unprecedented tumultuous time in modern American politics. Division in our Legislature reflects serious divisions in the electorate, which remain potent and evident right here in Maine. New threats to the democratic process seem to emerge every year through mis- and disinformation. While threats to democracy continue to loom on the horizon, we in Maine continue to make progress. Democracy Maine’s new report assesses the health of Maine’s government and democracy. This is the fourth update of the report, with the first edition released in April 2020. Each chapter highlights important positive or negative trends. Where possible, the report compares Maine with other states to provide a larger context.
WHO WE ARE
LWVME and MCCE are nonpartisan political organizations that encourage informed and active participation in government and seek to influence public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate. We joined forces in 2018, with Maine Students Vote joining in 2021, to strengthen our advocacy and educational efforts. In collaboration as Democracy Maine, we work together and with other partners to make government more equitable, inclusive, and accessible by improving elections; informing, protecting, and engaging voters; and reducing the influence of big money in politics. Voting is a fundamental citizen right that must be guaranteed, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to vote. We support measures that enhance the smooth conduct of elections and public confidence in election outcomes, and we work for election measures that will increase political and racial equity, voter participation, and representative outcomes. We are also deeply committed to reforming our nation’s campaign finance system to ensure the public’s right to know, combat corruption and undue influence, enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office, and allow maximum citizen participation in the political process. We have been actively engaged for several years on issues such as ranked choice voting, election security and integrity, automatic and online voter registration, the national popular vote, primary elections, and redistricting in Maine.