How to vote by mail or vote early in Maine

How to vote by mail or vote early in Maine

Maine has no-excuse-needed absentee voting, so any registered voter can vote by mail!

Voting by Mail

Step 1: Request your absentee ballot

You must request your Maine absentee ballot no later than October 31st, but you can apply for it NOW!)

There are 4 ways to request your Maine absentee ballot:

• You can vote absentee, RIGHT NOW, in person at your municipal clerk’s office.

  • You don't need to complete an application if you vote in person at the clerk's office.

  • The deadline for absentee voting in the presence of the clerk is October 30th. Check with your municipal clerk’s office for their opening and closing hours.

  • You can find your municipal clerk or registrar’s office address, telephone number, and other information here: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/munic.html

  • You do not need to mail anything with this option!

• You can request an absentee ballot by telephone from your municipal clerk or registrar to have your ballot sent to you. (This is the easiest option if you can use a telephone!)

  • You can find your municipal clerk or registrar’s phone number and other information here: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/munic.html

• Download and fill out the absentee ballot application.

  • A fillable PDF version is available here:

    https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/pdf/absballot1120.pdf

  • A Word Doc version is available here:

    https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/docs/absballot1120.doc

  • Print, sign the ballot application BY HAND (no digital signatures!), and date it

  • Mail it or drop it off in person to your municipal clerk or registrar.

  • You can find your municipal clerk or registrar’s address and other information here: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/munic.html

• If you don’t have a printer, you can send a written request to your municipal clerk requesting an absentee ballot be sent to you.

  • Make sure to include all of the information that is on the above application.

  • You can find your municipal clerk or registrar’s address and other information here: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/munic.html

Step 2: Vote and return your ballot

Carefully read and follow the instructions for completing your Maine ballot. Mistakes may prevent your votes from being counted!

You have 2 options for returning your Maine absentee ballot:

1. Mail it to your municipal clerk or registrar’s office. You can find your municipal clerk or registrar’s office address and other information here: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/munic.html

   If you are mailing your ballot, make sure to add postage— Maine does NOT pay for it!

2. Drop it to your municipal clerk or registrar’s office. Make sure to call ahead to find out when the office closes— some offices may close BEFORE the polls on November 3rd, so bring it in early! You can find your municipal clerk or registrar’s office address and other information here: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/munic.html

Your absentee ballot must be RECEIVED (not just postmarked!) by 8:00 PM on November 3rd!

Early voting

You can vote early in Maine, RIGHT NOW, in person at your municipal clerk’s office.

• You don't need to complete an application if you vote in person at the clerk's office.

• The deadline for absentee voting in the presence of the clerk is October 30th. Check with your municipal clerk’s office for their opening and closing hours.

• You can find your municipal clerk or registrar’s office address, telephone number, and other information here: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/munic.html

• You do not need to mail anything with this option!

For more information on voting in Maine, including voter registration, visit https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/index.html