State sends postcards to Maine residents in attempt to confirm voter eligibility

if not confirmed by election, “Inactive” voters will be asked to confirm residential address, which may lead to completing updated voter registration application at the polls

Tue, 02/10/2026 - 8:30am

AUGUSTA, Maine — The Secretary of State’s Office mailed postcards in January to 148,000 registered voters who did not cast ballots in the past two federal elections. The postcards are to verify the individual’s residency and eligibility to vote in Maine, according to the State Secretary's Office, in a news release. The mailing is part of Maine’s routine maintenance of its voter lists under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

Notices requested that addressees return the reply card within 20 days of receipt.

"Voters who wish to confirm or correct their information should complete, sign, and return the postcard to the Elections Division as soon as possible – even if it is later than the 20 days," said the news release.

Voters who missed the deadline will be marked as “inactive” but will still be able to vote in upcoming elections. “Inactive” voters will be asked by election officials to confirm their residential address, and if it has changed from the address on the voter list, they will be asked to complete an updated voter registration application. A voter’s “active” status is restored after voting.

"It is not uncommon for a residence, particularly those with high turnover rates such as apartment buildings or college residences, to receive postcards addressed to previous tenants," said the release. "If a postcard is received for a former resident, it should not be completed or returned, simply discarded. Any postcards returned as undeliverable or not returned to the Elections Division will be designated as 'inactive' in the voter’s record. However, if a postcard is received for a family member who no longer lives at that address, it is recommended that the postcard be given to that individual to complete and return with their updated address.

"While Maine enjoys high registration and voter turnout rates, there is, of course, no requirement that someone must vote, even if registered," said the release. "The State is legally prohibited from cancelling a person’s voter registration until after two general federal elections after the notice have passed with no voter activity."

“These mailings are a regular part of routine maintenance, and there are very specific guidelines we must follow. The multiple checks and balances in place are vital to ensure that no eligible Mainer is improperly removed from the voter rolls,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. “Mainers should be proud of the quality work conducted by state and local election officials every day to ensure free, safe and secure elections.”

According to the release, the database is never static and is updated daily by nonpartisan state and local election administrators in response to information received from voters and reliable data maintenance sources such as death records and notices of cancellation from election administrators in other jurisdictions.

The Secretary of State’s Office annual report to the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs reported 217,262 total records cancelled in 2025 (as of January 1, 2026), following routine, required, and ongoing voter list maintenance activities including: