Democrats and Republicans both see Maine as winnable in this year's presidential election. But the outcome could be decided by those people outside the two major parties.

The national campaigns established an early presence in what has been considered a battleground state, and targeted Maine for media advertising, which has been heavy.

Then-Green party candidate Ralph Nader took 5.7 percent of the vote in 2000. Other minor-party candidates took another 1.3 percent. Gore won the state with 49.1 percent to Bush's 44.

This time around, the Greens' David Cobb is on the state's ballot for president, with Pat LaMarche as his running mate. Nader, representing the Better Life party, rounds out the ballot.

In the 1st Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Rep. Tom Allen will take on GOP candidate Charles Summers. In the 2nd District first-term incumbent Democratic Rep. Michael Michaud will run against Republican Brian Hamel. No congressional candidate in either party was opposed in the primaries.

Since taking over as governor in 2003, Democratic Gov. John Baldacci's top priority has been balancing the state budget in the face of a $1.2 billion shortfall. That was accomplished in March when lawmakers approved a two-year spending package that included no major tax increases.

The Maine Legislature passed a universal health care law that took effect Sept. 13, 2003, setting into motion a process to guarantee that all uninsured Maine residents have access to coverage by mid-2009.

Before taking office, Baldacci said he wanted to work for solutions and disregard party lines.

In 2002, Republican freshman incumbent Senator Susan Collins won another term, brushing aside a challenge by former state Sen. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat.

Baldacci won a four-way contest to replace independent governor Angus King, who was barred from seeking a third term.

In the House races, Democrat Mike Michaud, a state lawmaker and mill worker, defeated Republican Kevin Raye, a longtime aide to Sen. Olympia Snowe.

In the statewide races, John Eder became the first Green party candidate elected to the Legislature, outpolling his Democratic opponent 2-1 in a House race that had no Republican on the ballot.

Eight out of nine York County towns voted against allowing two Indian tribes to build a casino in southern Maine.