Maine Senate
Nomination Process
Maine Democrats
About the Process
Maine Democrats across the state are coming together in a Special Nomination Process to select our next Democratic U.S. Senate nominee — and defeat Susan Collins in November. We have a short window to complete this process, with all steps concluding by July 27th at 5 PM. Here’s how it works:
- Candidate Filing: Senate candidates will submit their intent to run and collect signatures to qualify for the ballot.
- County Nominating Meetings (July 18–19): All 16 Maine counties will convene special nomination meetings where participants will vote to elect delegates. Maine Democrats can register to be a delegate and to participate and vote in their county’s meeting.
- Nominating Convention (Saturday, July 25 at 9 AM at the Bangor Cross Insurance Center): 601 delegates will vote to select our new nominee.
We have worked hard to create a fair process that is inclusive of varying viewpoints and diverse backgrounds of Democrats across the state of Maine, as we all come together in service of our ultimate goal: defeat Susan Collins and win this Senate seat.
These circumstances are unprecedented, but our state party is ready and capable of rising to this challenge.
Key Dates
Wed. July 15, 2026
5:00 p.m. EST
Declaration of Intent Due for any individual seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
Deadline to register to be a delegate (registration to be a delegate will not be allowed on the days of county meetings).
Thurs. July 16, 2026
5:00 p.m. EST
Pre-registration for participants deadline
Participants can be verified as a voter on the day of county meetings, but are encouraged to sign up for verification now.
5:30 p.m. EST
Pre-Meeting verification for participants opens
Participants can be verified as a voter up until two hours before their county’s delegate nominating meetings
Sat. July 18, 2026
County Delegate Nomination Meetings
Find the full schedule Here.
Sun. July 19, 2026
County Delegate Nomination Meetings
Find the full schedule Here.
Mon. July 20, 2026
11:59 p.m. EST
Signatures Due From senate candidates
Details can be found here.
Sat. July 25, 2026
9:00 A.M. EST
Nominating Convention @ Bangor Cross Insurance Center
Mon. July 27, 2026
Statutory filing deadline
MDP’s Deadline to submit the name of our new Democratic U.S. Senate Nominee with the Secretary of State
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Why is this nomination process happening?
Graham Platner won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on June 9, 2026, but withdrew from the race on July 8, 2026. Under Maine law, the Maine Democratic Party is responsible for naming a replacement nominee, and the party’s state committee voted to do so through a nominating convention.
How did the party come to this process?
- We have striven to create the most inclusive, representative, and open process possible under these unprecedented circumstances.
- In coordination with our legal counsel, we have put together a plan for a nominating convention that will allow us to nominate a qualified candidate who has the energy and support to defeat Susan Collins, sending a Senator who works for all of us to Washington in her place.
- We are proud that this is one of the most open and inclusive processes that any state party has ever undertaken to replace a Senate nominee.
Why isn’t the party holding an emergency snap primary that voters can participate in?
This process has been created in accordance with Maine state law and the realities of the timing constraints we are under. We are proud that this is one of the most open and inclusive processes that any state party has ever undertaken to replace a Senate nominee.
Does this process favor a particular candidate?
No. This is a fair, inclusive process that does not favor any particular candidate. We are proud to have a number of qualified candidates interested in the nomination and we are excited to provide them an opportunity to make their case to delegates.
Will the party be hosting debates or town halls?
- The nominating convention will provide an opportunity for candidates to address delegates directly.
- Candidates are encouraged to campaign in any way they see fit.
Delegate Nominating Meetings
What is a Delegate Nomination Meeting?
A Delegate Nominating Meeting is the process of electing, by county, Delegates and Alternates who will then participate in a statewide Nominating Convention. All sixteen (16) counties will hold meetings where delegates will be considered and selected by other registered Democrats to attend the statewide Nominating Convention.
When and where will the Delegate Nominating Meetings take place?
The Delegate Nominating Meetings will be held on Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th. Check the Maine Democratic Party’s website to find out when and where your County is holding its meeting, including the specific date, time and location, when it becomes available. These details will become available as they are scheduled.
Who can run to be a County Delegate to the Convention?
Any voter who was a registered Democrat as of the June 9th Primary Election may run to be a Delegate or Alternate in the County in which they are registered to vote. Interested voters must pre-register by completing an online form no later than Wednesday, July 15th, at 5:00 PM. The form can be found on the Maine Democratic Party’s website. There will be no nominations at the meeting, and this form must be completed and submitted prior to the deadline. Applicants will be reviewed and notified of their eligibility following their submission. Qualified applicants will be submitted to their County Chair prior to their meeting. County Delegate candidates do not have to attend their meeting in order to be considered for a Delegate slot.
Pre-registration is required for Delegate Nominees.
How will delegates be chosen?
- The convention will be made up of 601 delegates from all 16 counties. Of those delegates, 101 will be members of the Democratic State Committee, who have been duly elected by Maine voters. The remaining 500 will be delegates appointed from each county.
- Each county will be apportioned one third the amount of delegates it received at the 2026 state convention. The 2026 delegate apportionments were assigned based on the turnout of the 2024 primary.
- To select delegates, county chairs will call a special nominating meeting in which all Democrats registered in the county as of June 9, 2026 can participate and vote.
- In accordance with Maine law, only registered Democrats can vote in special nominating meetings and participate as convention delegates.
Who can vote for County Delegates at their County’s Delegate Nominating Meeting?
Any registered Democrat as of June 9, 2026 in a given County may vote at that County’s meeting. To help with organization and capacity, participants are encouraged to pre-register on an online form prior to their meeting. The form can be found on the Maine Democratic Party’s website, and pre-registration will close on Thursday, July 16th at 5:00PM so that registrations can be processed. Despite the preference for pre-registration, eligible Democrats can attend and be validated for participation on the day of the Delegate Nominating Meeting. Please note that the registration requirement mandating registration before the June 9, 2026 primary also applies to in person participants.
What is the difference between a County Delegate and a County Alternate?
Both County Delegates and County Alternates can be elected at their County’s Delegate Nominating Meeting. Elected County Delegates attend and vote at the 2026 Nominating Convention, while County Alternates attend the Convention, but do not vote unless they are eligible to replace an absent County Delegate in the same County.
How many County Delegates will be elected to the Convention?
A total of 500 Delegates may be elected to the Convention. Each County is allotted a different amount of delegates based on their 2024 Democratic Primary turnout. The proportional allotments mirror those given to counties for the 2026 Democratic Convention.
How will a new Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat be chosen?
A new nominee will be selected using a two part process. The first part of that process is the Delegate Nominating meeting where counties select delegates who then cast votes for a new nominee at a later statewide Nominating Convention.
Can I speak at the Delegate Nominating Meeting?
No. Because we anticipate extremely high interest in becoming a delegate, delegate candidates will not be allowed to speak to their candidacy on the floor. Instead, participants will have access to a guide featuring the nominating statements submitted by the nominee when completing their online form. Additionally, all Delegate Nominating meetings will open one-hour prior to the commencement of the meeting to allow for informal discussions between fellow delegate nominees and participants who wish to talk to nominee candidates.
Will unenrolled voters be able to participate?
Only registered Democrats can vote in special nominating meetings and participate as convention delegates. This decision was made on advice of legal counsel to be in accordance with Maine law. We are proud that this is one of the most open and inclusive processes that any state party has ever undertaken to replace a Senate nominee.
The Nominating Convention
How will voting work at the convention?
Voting will be conducted in rounds until one candidate reaches a majority. The five candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the first round will advance to the second round. Each subsequent round will eliminate the lowest vote-getter until one candidate is chosen.
When and where will the Convention take place?
The Nominating Convention will be held on Saturday, July 25th, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the Cross Insurance Center (515 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401). Doors will open at 8:00 AM. Delegates and Alternates must commit to attending the Nominating Convention in person.
Will the convention be open to the press/the public?
- The convention will be livestreamed. For safety reasons, only credentialed delegates, credentialed press, and staff will be permitted to attend in person.
- Members of the media should direct questions and press requests to conventionpress@mainedems.org.
How will a new Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat be chosen?
A new nominee will be selected using a two part process. The first part of that process is the Delegate Nominating meeting where counties select delegates who then cast votes for a new nominee at a later statewide Nominating Convention.
Who can run to be a County Delegate to the Convention?
Any voter who was a registered Democrat as of the June 9th Primary Election may run to be a Delegate or Alternate in the County in which they are registered to vote. Interested voters must pre-register by completing an online form no later than Wednesday, July 15th, at 5:00 PM. The form can be found on the Maine Democratic Party’s website. There will be no nominations at the meeting, and this form must be completed and submitted prior to the deadline. Applicants will be reviewed and notified of their eligibility following their submission. Qualified applicants will be submitted to their County Chair prior to their meeting. County Delegate candidates do not have to attend their meeting in order to be considered for a Delegate slot.
Pre-registration is required for Delegate Nominees.
How many County Delegates will be elected to the Convention?
A total of 500 Delegates may be elected to the Convention. Each County is allotted a different amount of delegates based on their 2024 Democratic Primary turnout. The proportional allotments mirror those given to counties for the 2026 Democratic Convention.
Will unenrolled voters be able to participate?
Only registered Democrats can vote in special nominating meetings and participate as convention delegates. This decision was made on advice of legal counsel to be in accordance with Maine law. We are proud that this is one of the most open and inclusive processes that any state party has ever undertaken to replace a Senate nominee.
Press
Who can I contact for press inquiries?
You can contact conventionpress@mainedems.org.
Getting Help / Supporting The Party
How do I support the Maine Democratic Party?
Donations help fund this entire process on a compressed timeline. Donate Here.
