Polls have closed in the 2024 election, and now the waiting begins.

All signs pointed to historic turnout across Maine and the country. Before polls even opened Tuesday, roughly 40% of registered voters here had cast ballots, and there were long lines for in-person voting in many communities, including many who were registering for the first time.

That meant slow vote counting and delayed results.

In Maine, we’re watching a U.S. Senate race, two U.S. House of Representative races – including one of the closest in the country in the 2nd Congressional District – 186 seats in the Maine Legislature, five statewide ballot questions – including whether the official state flag should be changed to look more like the simpler, original version from 1901 – and a host of municipal races and ballot questions.

• Find results for all Maine races here

• Additional results and electoral maps from across the country

2:45 a.m. Wednesday – After winning Pennsylvania, Trump declares victory over Harris

Donald Trump declared victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election early Wednesday morning, claiming a national win just hours after the final polls closed, and minutes after The Associated Press called his victory in Pennsylvania.

Speaking from the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump called the moment “a political victory that our country has never seen before.”

Former President Donald Trump, joined by Melania Trump and Barron Trump, arrives to speak to supporters at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, early Wednesday morning. The Republican declared victory after winning Pennsylvania, leaving Vice President Kamala Harris without a viable path to victory. Alex Brandon/Associated Press

“There’s never been anything like this in this country,” Trump told the crowd of cheering supporters. “We’re going to help our country heal. We have a country that needs help, and it needs help very badly.”

By the time Trump spoke, around 2:30 a.m., several outlets, including Fox News and NBC News, projected that Trump would win. But the AP had not called the national contest, instead reporting too-close-to-call races in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Trump carried a 267-224 lead in Electoral Votes over Vice President Kamala Harris as of 3 a.m., the AP said, leaving her without a viable path to victory.

Trump also claimed to have won the popular vote. Though the AP had Trump with roughly 5 million more votes than Harris at the time of his speech, those figures reflected an incomplete count. The final popular vote may not be known for days or weeks.

Trump said it was “time to unite” after years of national division. He concluded his roughly 30-minute speech shortly before 3 a.m., as the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” rang out in the venue.

Harris and Trump each won at least one of Maine’s four Electoral Votes, though the overall state winner remains unclear, the AP said early Wednesday morning.

Harris won Maine’s 1st Congressional District late Tuesday night, while the AP called the 2nd Congressional District for Trump shortly before 1 a.m.

— Daniel Kool, Portland Press Herald

11:40 p.m. – With close to 30% of precincts reporting in Maine, clarity still elusive in many races

Vice President Kamala Harris appears poised to win Maine, but she could lose the 2nd Congressional District and its one electoral vote to former President Donald Trump.

With 29% of precincts reporting, Harris leads Trump 51%-46% in Maine, a slightly smaller lead than recent polling. But Trump has a 57%-42% lead in the 2nd District.

August Watson, of South Portland, Abigail Miller, of Gorham, and Eliot Wertheimer, of South Portland, check their phones for results during the Democrats’ watch party at Aura in Portland Tuesday night. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

In the congressional race in that district, Republican Austin Theriault has a 53%-47% advantage over incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Golden. That race had been considered a toss-up, but it has national implications.

During a brief speech late Tuesday in Bangor, Theriault also thanked his supporters.

“We had people coming into the political process that had given up on it, that felt like nobody cared about them,” he said. “We’re giving people hope for the future. We really want to fight for rural Maine, for rural America, for folks who feel lost and left behind.”

Theriault went on to say that the future depends on people working together, “and that’s what this campaign has been about.”

Theriault acknowledged a long night ahead, but flashed a thumbs up. “We’re ahead right now, we’ve got results coming in, so keep praying. Keep the positive vibes out there and I have a really good feeling — I’m cautiously optimistic that we’re going to pull this thing off.”

Golden did not address the media or supporters.

Austin Theriault, the Republican candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, poses for a portrait with Zach Wood, 28, of Levant, while attending an election watch party at Hollywood Casino Hotel in Bangor. Wood said he was a campaign volunteer and a “huge supporter” of Theriault. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer

In the 1st District race, incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree declared victory and had nearly 60% support. U.S. Sen. Angus King also appeared headed for victory against three opponents, with 51% of the vote.

As for referendum questions, the question about replacing the state flag was down 10 points. The bond questions and the effort to limit contributions to political action committees appeared headed for victory, although Question 3 – the historic community restoration bond – was neck and neck.

–Eric Russell and Ben McCanna, Portland Press Herald

11:05 p.m. – What does the presidential race look like?

The Electoral College map, as of 11 p.m., shows former president Donald Trump with a lead of 214-179 over Vice President Kamala Harris.

However, all of the states that have been called thus far by the Associated Press have been expected. All of the seven battleground states – Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania – remain too close to call.

It could still be several hours before there is clarity in the race.

Harris and her supporters are hoping to at least hold the Rust Belt states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, which would get her to exactly 270 votes if everything else turns out as projected.

If Trump can win any of those three, he would eclipse 270.

–Eric Russell, Portland Press Herald

11 p.m. – Election results still slow to materialize

The Associated Press called Maine’s heavily Democratic 1st Congressional District for Vice President Kamala Harris shortly before 11 p.m.

The rest of the state’s electoral votes are still being tallied. Harris led former President Donald Trump by roughly 7 percentage points around 11 p.m., but that figure represented only around 20% of the state’s total votes.

Polls closed at 8 p.m., but complete results for the state were not expected for hours or days afterward.

In 2020, the AP called Maine for President Biden shortly after 3 a.m. the morning after Election Day. That year, Maine gave one of its electoral votes to Trump and three to President Biden, marking the second time the state split its electoral votes.

If either candidate gets less than 50% of the total vote, the state’s ranked choice voting system will trigger an instant runoff. If that happens, it would be the first time such a runoff occurs during a presidential contest in Maine.

In congressional races, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree – who declared victory – has a 2-to-1 advantage over her Republican opponent, Ronald Russell.

In the 2nd District, Republican Austin Theriault has a 54%-45% advantage over the incumbent, Democrat Jared Golden. That race is expected to be close and could help determine which party controls the House.

U.S. Sen. Angus King leads his three opponents with slightly more than 50% of the vote.

On statewide referendum questions, there is support for all three bond questions (although not overwhelming) and for limiting contributions to political action committees. But early results suggests Mainers might reject an effort to replace the state flag.

–Eric Russell and Daniel Kool, Portland Press Herald

10:55 p.m. – Yarmouth voters OK $10.5M bond

Yarmouth voters approved a ballot measure by a more than 2-to-1 margin to fund three town infrastructure projects.

The $10.5 million bond will go toward rehabbing the Harbor Pump Station, replacing the Davis Landing Bridge, and fixing up the Cousin’s Island walkway.

The town estimates that on top of the principal, the interest on the bond – calculated at a 4% interest rate over a 25-year maturity – will cost $5.6 million.

Prior to the election, Manager Scott LaFlamme called the projects “critical” and said the town should not delay in addressing them.

–Eloise Goldsmith and Sophie Burchell, Forecaster

10:35 p.m. – Where things stand on Portland’s 2 referendum questions

Portland voters had two referendum questions to consider Tuesday: Whether to scale-back the city’s hazard pay rules, and change how short-term rental owners can register with the city.

Eight of 11 precincts were reporting by 10:30 p.m., and results showed that voters supported both measures.

Question A would scale back the city’s hazard pay law. Right now, workers are paid time and a half when the governor declares a state of emergency. This measure would mean workers would only receive extra pay if the mayor declared a state of emergency for the city specifically. At 10:30 p.m., there were 6,418 votes counted in favor of the change and 4,781 against.

Question B would further restrict short-term rentals in the city by capping short-term rentals at 1.5% of the city’s rental stock, which is equal to about 290 based on current numbers. That’s far less than the current cap of 400 units for the entire city. At 10:30 p.m., there were 7,003 votes counted in favor of the change and 3,529 counted against.

–Grace Benninghoff, Portland Press Herald

10:25 p.m. – U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree declares victory

US Rep. Chellie Pingree thanks supporters during the Democrats’ watch party at Aura in Portland on election night. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has declared victory in her reelection campaign over two longshot challengers, even as the Associated Press has yet to call the race.

“I am deeply humbled and immensely grateful for the trust that Mainers have once again placed in me to continue serving the people of Maine in Congress,” she said in a statement. “Representing the First District is a profound privilege, and I remain committed to working tirelessly for the priorities that matter most to our communities. This victory reflects a shared commitment to protecting fundamental rights, addressing the urgent challenges of climate change, supporting working families, and safeguarding our democracy. These are not just legislative goals; they are the values that bind us and shape our future.

“I’d also like to thank my opponents, Ron Russell and Ethan Alcorn, for running respectful campaigns. I appreciate their contributions to this race and their commitment to our shared goal of working toward a better future for Maine.”

Meanwhile, the mood was anxious Tuesday evening among party-goers at a Maine Democratic Party election-night gathering at Aura in Portland.

“We don’t know yet what is happening with the White House,” Pingree told supporters after 10 p.m. “I am going to fight for you. The role of Congress is going to be really important.”

In a brief interview with the Press Herald, Pingree said that “this night is every bit as tight as we expected it to be.” She said no matter who wins the White House and whichever party controls Congress, there will be opportunities to find common ground on issues, such as housing and child care.

Full story here

–Eric Russell and Joe Lawlor, Portland Press Herald

10:10 p.m. – Results from roughly 25% of precincts in Portland

Jessica Falero leads the race for the at-large Portland City Council seat with 30% of the votes from three of 12 precincts that have been counted. Brandon Mazer follows with 22% of the votes, with Benjamin Grant close behind at 21%.

In the two precincts that have been counted for District 1, Sarah Michniewicz leads with 59% of the votes over competitor Robert Todd Morse.

District 2 candidate Wesley Pelletier gained the most votes in the one precinct out of 12 counted so far, with 32% of the votes. Atiim Boykin follows with 28%.

Maya Lena has a strong lead in the race for School Board At-Large, receiving 77% of the votes that have been counted in three Portland precincts.

– Sophie Burchell, Forecaster

9:55 p.m. – North Yarmouth passes charter change

Voters in North Yarmouth signed off on a minor update to the town’s charter on Nov. 5. The measure passed overwhelmingly, with 2,521 votes in favor and 410 opposed.

The amendment brings the town charter up to date with current practices, where the Select Board elects the vice chair and the board’s chair at the same time.

Town Manager Diane Barnes has called the change minor, and a measure to correct that fact that current charter language doesn’t state that the town elects a vice chair when the municipal officers are elected.

–Eloise Goldsmith and Sophie Burchell, Forecaster 

9:45 p.m. – Results in Maine slow to trickle in

Nearly two hours after polls closed in Maine, only a handful of towns have reported results.

With 4% of all precincts reporting, former President Donald Trump has a narrow lead over Vice President Kamala Harris here.

Republican Austin Theriault has a similar slight lead over incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Golden as well.

But the results are mostly from smaller towns that tend to lean Republican, so these early results are not surprising.

–Eric Russell, Portland Press Herald

9:30 p.m. – Two Maine Senate races called for Democrats

Democrats monitor early results at a watch party at Aura in Portland on Tuesday night. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Current Maine House Speaker Rachel Talbot-Ross of Portland has won her race for a State Senate seat, according to the Maine Senate Democratic Campaign Committee. That race was uncontested after her Republican opponent, Susan Abercrombie, died this summer.

“Thank you to the people of Portland for the opportunity to represent you in the Maine Senate. I am honored to continue working to ensure housing and food security and fair, equal access to healthcare, child care, and education. Having served as the Speaker of the House, I’m proud of what we achieved from Housing First legislation to rewriting the harmful laws undermining the inherent sovereignty of our Wabanaki neighbors and so much more,” she said in a statement. “However, I know there is so much more we can do together and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue this important work in the Maine Senate.”

Another Senate Democrat – Peggy Rotundo of Lewiston – also is projected to win reelection, according to the committee.

Democrats currently hold a sizable advantage in both the House and Senate, but Republicans are hoping to make inroads.

– Eric Russell, Portland Press Herald

9:15 p.m. – Theriault arrives at campaign party in Bangor

Austin Theriault, the Republican candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, checks in with his grandmother Betty Theriault during an election watch party at Hollywood Casino Hotel in Bangor. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer

BANGOR — Republican congressional candidate Austin Theriault has arrived at his own party.

The 2nd Congressional District challenger to incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, wearing a dress shirt and a blazer, mingled through the growing crowd at Hollywood Casino, posing for photographs with supporters and flashing a confident smile.

Campaign manager Preya Samsundar said Theriault would not be immediately available to talk to reporters.

Golden was watching election results privately Tuesday night and did not plan to address the media.

— Ben McCanna, Portland Press Herald

9 p.m. – Polls close in battleground states of Michigan, Wisconsin

As of 9 p.m., polls have now closed in several more states, including Michigan and Wisconsin, which are considered major battleground states.

Meanwhile, more states have been called by the Associated Press.

New York has been called for Vice President Kamala Harris; North and South Dakota, Louisiana, Wyoming and Ohio have all gone for former President Donald Trump.

Still no surprises.

– Eric Russell, Portland Press Herald

8:50 p.m. – Incumbent U.S. Rep. Golden issues statement as polls close

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat locked in a close race for reelection against Republican Austin Theriault, is not planning to address the media or supporters this evening, but he released a statement after polls closed.

“At a time when national conversation is so often dominated by divisive politics and personalities, I feel good about running a campaign focused on the issues that matter to Mainers — our safety, our freedoms, our health care and our jobs,” Golden said. “As we wait for every ballot to be counted, I want to thank Maine voters for turning out to participate in the greatest democracy the world has ever known.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jared Golden (@golden4congress_)

– Eric Russell, Portland Press Herald

8:45 p.m. – More states called for Trump and Harris, but no surprises yet

The Associated Press has now called Arkansas for former President Donald Trump and New Jersey, Delaware and Illinois for Vice President Kamala Harris.

At this point, Trump has an Electoral College lead of 101-71, with 270 needed for victory. It’s not clear whether either candidate will get to that threshold tonight, or even tomorrow.

All of the states that have been called by AP so far went to the candidate who was favored there.

– Eric Russell, Portland Press Herald

8:35 p.m. – Lakes Region towns see high post-workday turnout

NAPLES – The Naples Town Office saw long lines even after the sun had set.

Town Clerk Michelle Thibodeau said that turnout has been great thus far. Greeting voters as they left the polling place was Dave Gerrish of the Naples Lions Club, promoting an open house on Thursday night. According to Gerrish, the Lions Club has been in Naples for 21 years, supporting various camps and socials programs in the town.

In Sebago, town clerk Letitia Genest said things were busy all day. Outside of the polling place, Skip Brown, President of the Sebago Historical Society, was selling historic calendars and cookbooks, and told the Lakes Region Weekly that he had already talked to quite a lot of voters.

At the first station in Standish, volunteer Paul Ainsworth made a joke about how dull it was, before noting how it had been packed all day, as he helped a massive line of people waiting to register.

“We’ve been really impressed by how smoothly things are running,” said poll watchers Linda Sanborn and Carl Booth.

Sanborn and Booth praised the efficiency of the voting in Standish, saying that a lot of college kids had come in, and had no trouble registering. At one point, they timed how long it took to get people to go through registration, and it was never longer than 15 minutes. The only major issue was a minor parking issue early in the morning, but that was resolved quickly. Regarding timing, they noted that there were a lot of people voting before and after work hours, with a small burst of voters around 4:30 p.m.

Outside, the Standish Food Pantry was asking for donations, and offering grapefruits and applesauce to those who had finished voting. Vice President Lisa Mokaba and Treasurer Louise Alberty praised the generosity of Standish’s voters, and noted they had raised around $1,600 with one hour to go before polls closed.

– Rory Sweeting, Lakes Region Weekly

8:30 p.m. – Supporters gather for Maine 2nd District challenger Theriault in Bangor

Madeleine Roundy, right, a campaign volunteer for Austin Theriault — the Republican candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District — kicks a balloon back and forth with Lana Wescott, an event planner for the election night watch party at Hollywood Casino Hotel in Bangor a few minutes before guests began to arrive. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer

BANGOR — As polls closed across Maine, guests began filing into a red-lit ballroom at Hollywood Casino for an election watch party for Austin Theriault — the Republican candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.

About a dozen news outlets line the back wall with TV cameras trained on an empty, balloon-rimmed stage, some reporters updating their news feeds under bright lights.

Several members of Theriault’s family filed into the room shortly after 8 p.m., including his grandfather Richard Theriault, 82, who dressed in a red-plaid shirt and a red ballcap emblazoned with his grandson’s name.

“We’re waiting,” he said with a smile, when asked if he had any predictions for the night.

Theriault’s father, Steve Theriault, 60, said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the outcome, adding that his son is ready for the job if voters deliver a victory for the Fort Kent resident and former NASCAR driver.

“It’s a big step, but Austin is used to making big steps,” he said.

— Ben McCanna, Portland Press Herald

8:20 p.m. – Voters still in line at four Portland polling places close to 8 p.m.

As of 7:50 p.m., Jessica Grondin, a spokesperson for the city, said four polling locations in Portland still had lines, meaning results would likely be delayed.

People who are still in line when polls officially close are allowed to cast ballots.

“It is going to be a while for any results due to the volume of ballots and polling locations that still have lines,” she said.

– Grace Benninghoff, Portland Press Herald

8:10 p.m. – Associated Press calls more states for Trump, Harris

With polls now closed in several states, the Associated Press has begun calling additional states based on exit polling.

Former President Donald Trump is projected to win the southern states of Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida and South Carolina, none of which are surprises.

Vice President Kamala Harris is projected to win in three more New England states – Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts – that had major electoral advantages for the Democrat, as well as Maryland.

Trump has a lead in Electoral College votes at this point, but the battleground states that are likely to decide the election, including Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina, remain too close to call.

– Eric Russell, Portland Press Herald

8 p.m. – Polls now closed in Maine, most other East Coast states

Polls are now closed in Maine and most other East Coast states.

High turnout is likely to delay that counts in many places, although expect some states where Donald Trump or Kamala Harris have big advantages to be called shortly.

– Eric Russell, Portland Press Herald

7:45 p.m. – Portland residents still voting well into the evening

At 7:15 the line outside the Portland Expo Center stretched down the block.

Grayson Lookner, Nancy English and Wes Pelletier were all at the Expo greeting voters, they are all running for Portland City Council. Lookner is seeking an at-large seat, which he would serve in tandem with his role as a state representative.

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” said Lookner. “Regardless of what happens I’ll be serving in the legislature for the city of Portland.”

Pelletier said he also felt optimistic about his race but that because the city uses rank choice voting, it would be hard to predict.

English said she had enjoyed running her campaign and meeting voters on election day. All three candidates said they had spent the entire day at the polls.

“I did my very best, I canvassed every little block in District 2,” said English. “It’s been wonderful to meet all the people in District 2, there’s so many different kinds of people.”

Allie Liberatore, 24, said she waited two hours to vote at the Expo Center. She said she ranked Lookner as her first choice in the at-large race followed by Jess Falero and Ben Grant. In the District 2 race, she ranked English first followed by Atiim Boykin and Pelletier.

“I felt like those candidates had factual proposals versus just ideas,” said Liberatore.

– Grace Benninghoff, Portland Press Herald

7:20 p.m. – Voting still going strong in Cape Elizabeth

CAPE ELIZABETH — Voters were still rolling into the polls Tuesday evening at Cape Elizabeth High School, where the turnout had been “pleasantly steady” all day, said Town Clerk Angela Frawley.

“We had a strong start, when people flooded in, and we had some lines,” Frawley said. “We had some surges throughout the day, but mostly it was steady.”

More than half of Cape Elizabeth’s registered voters – about 4,500 residents – cast absentee ballots early, she said.

“I bet we’ll be over 80% in the end,” she said. “That’s my prediction. Cape Elizabeth always has a high turnout.”

It’s Frawley’s first presidential election since she became town clerk earlier this year. A former division chief in the Portland Fire Department, she was dressed for the occasion with a U.S. flag necklace and earrings.

“A lot of people seemed to be in a really good mood,” Frawley said. “There’s a lot of joy in voting for many people.”

Jeremy Perkins, 45, was among the later voters in Cape Elizabeth. He wasn’t drawn by a particular race or issue.

“I’ve voted every election since I was 18,” he said. “Regardless of what’s on the ballot, I’m going to be here.”

This year he also wanted to set a good example for his partner’s daughter, Brooke Giroux, 18, a University of Southern Maine student who was voting for the first time.

“I was feeling mostly anxious because it was my first time,” she said. “But it was important to me personally because I want to have my rights.”

– Kelley Bouchard, Portland Press Herald

7:10 p.m. — Associated Press calls Kentucky, West Virginia and Indiana for Trump; Vermont for Harris

Almost immediately after polls closed in some states at 7 p.m., the Associated Press started making calls.

Donald Trump is projected to win the heavily Republican states of Kentucky and West Virginia, as well as Indiana. Kamala Harris is projected to win Vermont.

Although no actual results have been tabulated, the AP and other news outlets call states for candidates based on exit polling and other data. States that are called early in the evening are likely to be states where either Trump or Harris has major electoral advantages.

In several other states where polls closed early, including Georgia, Ohio and Virginia, the race was too close to call.

– Eric Russell, Portland Press Herald

• Here’s a look at how things went earlier in the day across Maine

Check back here for live updates throughout the evening.