Political activity is creating conflicts at Maine polls at the same time federal funding cuts are hindering election security training. Amid this, voter turnout in the state has reached new heights. These are among the conclusions of the state’s latest reports on election procedures presented by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows during the session’s first

Maine’s 2026 election cycle is expected to be highly competitive, with political experts anticipating some races to draw significant national attention and campaign spending.

D. Allan Kerr is an ex-dockworker, former newspaperman and U.S. Navy veteran living in Kittery, Maine.

Chief among them is the Senate race in Maine, where GOP Sen. Susan Collins is facing reelection in a state Trump lost by about 7 points in 2024.

Regardless of the outcome, what occurs in Maine this year will tell us much about the future of not only the state but the country. Even if Maine doesn’t transform into a swing state, we will, at least, regain our status as a bellwether — for better or for worse.