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Absentee & Mail-In Voting

Maine Democrats

Have questions about absentee or mail in-voting in Maine? Learn more about these processes below:

Absentee Voting

Absentee voting allows you to cast a ballot without going to a voting place on Election Day.

Any registered voter may cast an absentee ballot instead of voting in person at a voting place on Election Day. You don’t need to have a specific reason or be unable to vote at the voting place on Election Day to receive an absentee ballot.

  1. Complete an absentee ballot application to get a ballot; then,
  2. Fill out and deliver the ballot back to the municipal clerk, or to the Secretary of State, Division of Elections (if you are a Uniformed Service or Overseas voter).

1. Contact the municipal clerk in the town or city where you are registered to vote. Uniformed Service and Overseas voters will request an absentee ballot directly from the Secretary of State, Division of Elections.

2. You can make a telephone request for your own ballot, which will be mailed to the address you provide to the clerk.

3. You can request your own ballot electronically using the Secretary of State’s online absentee ballot request service. The approved online form can be found at the following web site: http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/Absentee Ballot/index.pl

4. You can make a written request by completing an absentee ballot application. Additionally, you can obtain a ballot for an immediate family member in this same way. A ballot will be mailed to the voter directly or to an immediate family member making the request. Your municipal clerk can tell you who is considered an immediate family member under the law.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot—or to vote absentee in person with your local clerk—is the posted hours that mark “close of business” at your local clerk’s office on the Thursday before Election Day.

If you submit your absentee ballot request early, you will be among the first to receive your ballot. Printed ballots are sent out to the clerks 30 days prior to Election Day, and they begin to mail them out shortly thereafter. If you submit your request during the 30-day period prior to Election Day, you will likely receive your ballot within 7-10 business days, on average. If you have any concerns about receiving your ballot, contact your municipal clerk directly. Do not submit more than one request for your ballot.

REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

Mail-In Voting

Mail-in voting  in Maine is a way to vote without going to a polling place on Election Day. Instead, you receive a ballot, fill it out at home, and return it by mail.

Any registered voter in Maine can vote by absentee (mail-in) ballot for any reason.

You can request one:

  • Online via the Secretary of State’s website
  • By phone or email through your town/city office
  • In person at your municipal office

Standard deadline: 3 business days before Election Day

Recommended: Request at least 7–10 days before to ensure you receive it in time

  • Mail it back (postage is usually prepaid)
  • Drop it off at your local municipal office
  • Use an official drop box (if your town provides one)

Your ballot must be received (not just postmarked) by 8:00 PM on Election Day.

REQUEST A MAIL-IN BALLOT

Did You Know?

Under Maine’s semi-open primary system, unenrolled (independent) voters can choose to participate in the Democratic primary without having to enroll in that party. Just ask for the Democratic ballot at the polls or when requesting your absentee ballot!

However, if you are currently enrolled in the Green Independent Party, you are NOT unenrolled — you are enrolled in a different party. Enrolled voters cannot select another party’s ballot unless they change enrollment at least 15 days prior to the primary.