AUGUSTA — Republican, Democratic or Green Independent voters who want to switch parties have until Friday to do so if they intend to vote in Maine’s June primaries for another party’s candidate, according to Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap.
In a news release Monday, Dunlap said state law requires a 15-day waiting period after a change of enrollment before a citizen can cast a ballot in a primary or participate in an established party’s caucus or convention.
Because the Memorial Day holiday is May 30, to take part in the primary the deadline for new party enrollment is May 27, Dunlap said.
Maine recognizes three qualified political parties: Democratic, Republican and Green Independent. All other registered voters are considered “unenrolled,” whether they consider themselves independent voters or members of other political parties that are not qualified in Maine, including Libertarian and socialist.
Unenrolled voters can enroll in a party at any time, including on Election Day and the primary. And because Maine has same-day voter registration, any unregistered voter can register and enroll in a party on Election Day, as well as the upcoming June primary.
Registered voters who are enrolled in one of the three qualified parties must meet certain deadlines to change their party affiliation prior to primary elections in which parties are choosing candidates.
Under state law, voters must remain in a party for three months before they are eligible to file an application for withdrawal or a change in enrollment. Additionally, those who withdraw from a party are ineligible to enroll in a different party for 15 days.
Only 20 states offer open primaries, where all registered voters are allowed to participate in primary elections. Registered but unenrolled voters in Maine may still vote for any candidate of their choice in general elections, as may party voters.
Some local Republican and Democratic voters will have primary choices on June 14 in legislative House District races, including:
• Lewiston’s House District 59, where Democrats will choose between Melissa Stevens and Roger Fuller.
• Auburn’s House District 62, where Democrats will choose between incumbent Gina Melaragno and Brian Bolduc.
• Auburn’s House District 64, where Democrats will choose between Bettyann Sheats and Candy Gleason.
• House District 57, where Republicans in Greene and Sabattus will choose between incumbent Stephen Wood and Gerard Tardif.
Correction: An earlier version of this report contained incorrect information. Unenrolled voters in Maine can enroll in a qualified party at any time, including on Election Day if they choose to do so. The information was incorrectly reported by the Sun Journal.
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