Absentee Voting

Absentee voting allows you to cast a ballot without going to a polling location on Election Day or to vote early. Any registered voter in Maine may cast an absentee ballot. Absentee voting is anonymous and convenient!

Tip: Don't procrastinate. It's better to take care of your absentee ballot sooner rather than later. When the online request portal is open for an election, go ahead and request it online. If you return your ballot by mail, you'll want to make sure it has enough time to be received by your town clerk.

All ballots must be received by your town clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day.

There is a deadline to request your absentee ballot, which is the Thursday before Election Day. After the normal deadline, you will need to provide an excuse. That can include one of these four reasons:

An unexpected absence from the municipality during the entire time the polls are open on Election Day;
A physical disability, or incapacity or illness that makes the voter unable to leave home or a treatment facility;
An inability to travel to the polls because the voter is a resident of a coastal island ward or precinct; or
Illness or incapacity that prevents the voter from leaving home or a treatment facility.

This special circumstances application must be signed by the voter.

Steps for voting absentee:

Step 1: Request your ballot in-person, over the phone, via mail, or online. If you're requesting by mail, make sure it will have time to arrive to your house and that you will have time to mail it back to your town clerk before the Election Day deadline.

Step 2: When your ballot arrives, follow the instructions and fill out the ballot. Don't forget to sign the envelope!

Step 3: You can return your ballot in-person at convenient absentee ballot dropboxes, usually located at your town hall. Explore our map to find the location of your town's dropbox. If you return your ballot by mail, make sure it has time to get to your town clerk. One stamp should do the trick, but if you have multiple pages to stick in the envelope, add additional postage.

Step 4: You can track your ballot to make sure it's received by your town clerk. For state and federal elections, track your absentee ballot through the Secretary of State's website.

All ballots must be received by your town clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day.

Ready to request your ballot?

Request your ballot online

Click here for an online request form.

Request your ballot by mail

Click here to download a blank request form for printing:

Make your request early to allow enough time for the ballot to be mailed to you. Mail to your Town Clerk. Absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

Click here to find your Town Clerk's address.

Request your ballot by calling your clerk

Click here to find your Town Clerk's phone number.

Request your ballot in-person at your town office

Absentee ballots are available to voters at least thirty (30) days prior to Election Day, through Election Day. Once available, you may obtain an absentee ballot in person from your Town Clerk. You can also vote and return the ballot on the same day when voting in person at your Town Clerk.

Click here to find your Town Clerk's address.

A GUIDE TO ABSENTEE VOTING IN MAINE