election 2026 Archives - The Portland Press Herald

The Portland Dirt is a zine you might keep seeing around | Column

Let’s get Maine to work on the common ground | Angus King III

For Spruce Mountain football, old rivalries take back seat to team building

LOOKING AHEAD TO NOVEMBER

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Jared Golden | Douglas Rooks

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Get to know the candidates for governor

Republican primary candidates: May 11
Democratic primary candidates: May 12

Maine Public and the Portland Press Herald are airing two special episodes, featuring primary candidates for Maine governor. Interviews air at 7 p.m. on Maine Public Television and Maine Public Radio.

Watch our primary debates

U.S. House 1st District Republicans: May 21
U.S. House 2nd District Democrats: May 28

All of our debates start at 7 p.m and will be live streamed on our sites. Sign up to get a reminder about the debate stream schedule.

Early primary voting

Voting begins: May 11

• In person: Find more about polling locations through your municipal clerk.
• By mail or dropbox: You can request an absentee ballot before June 4. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. June 9.

Election Day

Primary election: June 9
General election: Nov. 3

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling location here and bookmark this page for live results on election night.

Another independent enters 2026 Maine governor’s race

Derek Levasseur ran in 2019 as a Republican challenger to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, but dropped out before the primary election.

GETTING INTO THE ISSUES

If society collapses, Maine isn’t a bad place to be | Column

Opposition research isn’t new. Here’s how it’s affecting Maine’s U.S. Senate race.

Disclosures of past online comments made by Graham Platner are part of a well-known political playbook, highlighting the risk young outsiders face when seeking public office.