With the calendar turning towards November, voters are keenly aware that Election Day is fast approaching. As of today, October 7, 2024, there are just 29 days remaining until the General Election on November 5, 2024. This crucial election will decide key positions and important referendums, making every day count for those wanting to make their voices heard. Officials are now urging voters to prepare and utilize the accessible voting options available to ensure maximum participation.
Accessible Voting is Underway: Absentee Options in Focus
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Deputy Secretary of State Julie Flynn have highlighted the smooth commencement of absentee voting across the state. Maine’s commitment to accessible elections is evident in its no-excuse absentee voting system. This allows any registered voter to cast their ballot remotely, whether from home, school, or their town office, starting 30 days before Election Day. This approach is a significant factor in Maine’s consistently high voter turnout rates, setting an example for the nation.
Deputy Secretary Flynn praised the collaborative effort of state and local election officials, alongside partners like J.S. McCarthy Packaging and Print, USPS, UPS, and the Department’s Division of Enforcement Services. Their coordinated efforts ensured the prompt and efficient delivery of ballots to municipalities. Despite the logistical complexities, all absentee ballots were dispatched from the printer by last Tuesday afternoon and reached municipalities by Friday, demonstrating a robust and effective election infrastructure. In some instances, particularly for more remote areas, detectives from the Division of Enforcement Services personally delivered ballots to guarantee timely arrival, showcasing the dedication to ensuring every voter has the opportunity to participate.
Key Dates and Deadlines for Absentee Voting
In-person absentee voting officially began on Monday, October 7th, in towns and cities throughout Maine. State law mandates absentee ballots be available at least 30 days prior to an election. However, many municipalities, having received ballots early, proactively started mailing them out and making them available for in-person absentee voting at local city and town halls even sooner.
Maine’s no-excuse absentee voting law provides flexibility for all voters. You can vote absentee in person at your local town or city hall, or conveniently from your home. This period of no-excuse absentee voting extends until the Thursday before Election Day, which falls on October 31st this year. Hours for in-person absentee voting are determined by each municipality, with many offering extended hours, especially closer to the October 31st deadline. You can find specific municipal office hours at maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html. Even after October 31st, absentee voting is still possible under special circumstances, such as unexpected hospitalization.
Requesting an absentee ballot is straightforward. Voters can utilize the state’s convenient online portal at apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl. Alternatively, you can request a ballot by phone from your town or city hall, visit in person, or submit a paper application. While third-party groups may distribute paper applications, only one application submission is necessary.
Once your request is submitted, you can easily track its status and the progress of your ballot online at: apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/ballot_status.pl. For replacement ballots, contact your municipal clerk directly.
Many locations offer secure drop boxes for absentee ballot returns. These drop boxes are rigorously maintained, securely fixed, and accessible only to authorized election officials. Ballots are collected regularly by municipal clerks or designated teams.
Real-time absentee voter data is updated by the Elections Division on Tuesdays and Fridays, and daily after October 28th, available at www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/data/index.html.
Upon receiving your absentee ballot, municipal clerks verify voter signatures against registration records. If issues arise, such as missing information or signature discrepancies, the clerk will promptly contact the voter to resolve these issues. Voters can monitor their ballot status online to see if it has been accepted or if further action is needed. Rejected ballots can be replaced up until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, ensuring every vote counts.
Information for Uniformed and Overseas Citizens (UOCAVA)
Ballots for Uniformed and Overseas Citizens (UOCAVA) were dispatched starting September 19, 2024, adhering to federal law which requires mailing these ballots 45 days before Election Day. This early dispatch, starting on Saturday, September 21st this year, accommodates military personnel, their families, and US citizens living abroad. UOCAVA voters have until 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time on the day before Election Day to request ballots. Crucially, all UOCAVA ballots must be received by the Elections Division by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. More detailed information for UOCAVA voters is available at www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/uocava.html.
Voter Registration: Key Dates and How to Register
To register to vote in Maine, you must be a Maine resident, a U.S. citizen, and at least 16 years old (though you must be 18 to vote in the General Election on November 5, 2024). First-time registrants must provide proof of residency and identity. Importantly, current or past incarceration does not disqualify you from voting. Incarcerated individuals can register in the municipality where they resided prior to incarceration.
Maine offers same-day voter registration, allowing you to register and vote even on Election Day. Online voter registration via maine.gov/vote is open until Tuesday, October 15th (21 days before Election Day). Mail-in registrations must also be received by municipal clerks by this date. Automatic voter registration at Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) transactions is available until Tuesday, October 29th (7 days before Election Day). After these deadlines, registration must be completed in person at your municipal office.
Maine has observed a significant increase in online voter registrations recently. This surge includes new registrations, updates to existing registrations (name, address, party affiliation changes), and duplicate registrations from individuals ensuring their registration status. September alone saw over 10,000 new voter registrations, highlighting strong civic engagement.
To confirm your registration status or update your information, contact your municipal clerk’s office. Contact details are available at www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/munic.html. Note that Maine currently does not have an online voter registration lookup tool.
Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election
For informed voting on referendum questions, the non-partisan Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election is an invaluable resource. Available online at www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html, printed copies are also distributed to municipal offices and public libraries.
Prepared collaboratively by the Department of the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, the State Treasurer’s Office, and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review, the guide offers unbiased analysis of the referendum questions on the November ballot. It includes the legislative background, intent, and content of each question. While citizen advocacy statements are permitted, none were submitted for this year’s referendum questions.
Understanding Your Ballot: Candidates and Races
To see your personalized sample ballot, including your polling location, voting districts, election officials, and elected officials, visit https://www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/voter_lookup.php. A comprehensive list of candidates is available at www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html, along with declared write-in candidates.
Maine’s ballot preparation laws organize candidates alphabetically by last name within each race. Ranked-choice races are on one side of the ballot, and plurality races on the other. Voters will be notified of any candidate withdrawals via municipal clerks, website updates, and notices at polling locations.
Ranked-Choice Voting Explained
Ranked-choice voting will be used for federal races with three or more candidates, including Presidential, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House races. County and state races use plurality voting. Referendum questions are simple yes/no choices.
In ranked-choice races, if no candidate receives over 50% of first-round votes, a tabulation process will occur in Augusta post-Election Day. This office will announce any required RCV tabulations. On election night, municipalities will only report first-choice votes.
Ongoing Absentee Voter Status for Eligible Voters
Voters aged 65 and over or those with disabilities can apply for ongoing absentee voter status. Qualifying voters automatically receive absentee ballots for every election they are eligible to vote in, eliminating the need to request a ballot for each election. Application forms are available on the Secretary of State’s website.
Accessible Voting Options for Voters with Disabilities
Accessible ballots are available for voters with print disabilities at apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/ballot_begin.pl. Voters self-certify their disability prevents them from privately completing a paper ballot. Accessible voting systems are also available at every polling place for in-person voting.
Absentee Ballot Processing Procedures
Absentee ballot processing may begin up to seven days before Election Day, following notification to the Secretary of State 30 days prior. A list of municipalities processing early will be posted at maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html at least one week before processing starts. Early processing is public and open to observers.
Processing occurs between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., with potential delays for inspection requests. Requests for inspecting ballot applications and envelopes must be submitted by 4 p.m. the day before processing. If requested, materials are available an hour before processing begins.
Processing involves teams of two, with stages for marking voter lists, separating ballots and envelopes, and unfolding and tabulating ballots. Ballots are secured nightly and counted after 8 p.m. on Election Day, consistent with all ballots. Many municipalities process absentee ballots on Election Day itself, following the same procedures.
Guidelines for Photography and Filming at Polling Places
Photography and videography are permitted in and around polling places outside the guardrail, and no closer than 15 feet from voters. However, photographing voted ballots is prohibited to protect voter privacy, except for ballot selfies which are allowed.
Journalists conducting interviews inside polling places or within 250 feet of entrances should avoid questions that could violate political activity restrictions in these areas. Instruction on voting (except for voter assistance) and influencing vote choice are prohibited. Wardens can remove individuals violating these rules.
For any inquiries or further information, please refer to the provided links and resources. Make your voice heard in the upcoming General Election on November 5th!
Credits
Copyright © 2015 All rights reserved.
Information
Government links
Connect with Us
Accessibility of Information
If content on this website is not accessible and you would like to request the information in a different format, please contact (207) 626-8400.
