In Maine, voting rights for all citizens, with the inclusion of incarcerated people are duly provided for in the state constitution. Past attempts made in the legislature to exclude felons convicted of serious crimes have all failed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some have argued that stopping felons from voting serves as retribution for their crimes, and also a way of protecting the purity of the ballot box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these arguments hold sway in some other states, the Maine parliament has chosen to think differently and persist on their current stand. There is currently no strong opposition in Maine against felons retaining their rights to vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue of sustaining the rights of inmates to vote was revisited just last year by the legislature, and they opted to continue allowing inmates to vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elections in Maine are guided by rules as in every other state. To register to vote, more importance is placed on your residency than on whether or not you’re in jail. To register, you must be a US citizen, who is at least 17 years old with clear indications that you’ll be 18 years old at the time of the election. However, at 17 years, you are eligible to vote in primary elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must also maintain an established voting residence in the area you seek to register. This area could be the city, town, or locality where you live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Felons serving time in a state correctional facility or a county jail can register to vote in Maine as long as it is in the same area where they had established residency in the past. This must be a place considered a fixed residence, or a principal home. This should be the residence they plan to return to upon release from incarceration.<\/p>\n\n\n