Elmer Violette holds a two-year degree from Ricker College and a law degree from Boston University. He began his career in public service early, elected to the Maine House of Representatives while still in his twenties. After military service, he returned to the legislature and later chaired the Aroostook County Democratic Party. Violette transitioned to the judiciary, appointed to the Maine Superior Court and eventually elevated to the Maine Supreme Court. Throughout his career, he demonstrated a commitment to language rights and regulatory policy changes.

Elmer Violette's political career is marked by a distinctive blend of progressive advocacy and localized policy focus. His legislative efforts to protect French language rights in schools and establish the Allagash Wilderness Waterway illustrate an unexpected convergence of cultural preservation and environmental stewardship. Violette's judicial tenure saw him challenge regulatory bodies, suggesting a conceptual tension between state authority and corporate interests. His approach, balancing progressive causes with regional concerns, invites deeper examination into how he reconciles these seemingly disparate priorities.