Today is the day Democrats, Republicans and Greens must select new candidates for vacated ballot slots, of which there are quite a few.

The state election officials' list on July 14 had two Democrats, five Republicans and two Greens dropping off the Senate candidate roster.

On the House side, according to the same list, there were 11 Democratic withdrawals, 16 Republicans dropping out and five Greens folding up their campaigns.

While some candidates who filed to run originally may have been mere placeholders, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said others drop out for personal reasons.

''It's a lot to do to run for office,'' said Dunlap, a former House member.

The parties have until 5 p.m. today to nominate the new candidates for the vacated spots.

The current Legislature, which expires in December, adjourned in April and is not scheduled to return, although Gov. John Baldacci and House and Senate leaders have not ruled out a special session sometime this summer or fall.

As it stands now, Democrats hold 90 seats in the 151-member House, leaving Republicans with 59. There are two House independents.

In the Senate, Democrats hold a 19-16 edge over Republicans due to a temporary GOP defection.

The Associated Press contributed to this report