Maine’s law allowing 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote took effect in January 2018. As of June 19, 2019, Maine became the 16th state to adopt automatic voter registration after Governor Janet Mills signed a bill that would automatically register eligible citizens to vote--unless they opt out--at designated state agencies, such as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Beginning in January 2022, the law will also allow 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote once they obtain their first driver’s license.
Youth ages 18-29 make up only 15% of the Maine population. In the 2018 election, voter turnout amongst 18-29 year-olds in the state was 36.4%, slightly above the 31% national average.
Despite the expansion in legislation and youth turnout, every county in Maine has a pre-registration rate lower than 3%.
In Cumberland County, which has the highest population of 17-year-olds in the state, the pre-registration rate is 1.5%. In counties with lower populations of 17-year-olds--such as Lincoln, Somerset, and Washington Counties--the pre-registration rate is 0%.
