Mainers can vote early by absentee ballot at all municipal offices starting Monday through almost the rest of October ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
High turnout is expected again in a state where nearly 61% of eligible voters cast ballots in the 2022 midterm, according to the U.S. Elections Project. Only Oregon was higher.
Chiefly driving out voters this year will be Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ race for a sixth term against Democrat Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate president from Allagash. It’s one of the biggest races in the country and already the most expensive in Maine history, with more than $176 million in ad reservations since Jackson became the nominee in late July.
That election, along with others for governor, Congress and the Maine Legislature, will be taking shape as Mainers vote. Collins and Jackson have agreed to four debates. The first one is Tuesday, the day after early voting begins.
Maine allows no-excuse absentee voting, and that system doubles as the state’s form of early voting. You can fill out an absentee ballot in person at your municipal office now through Oct. 29, the Thursday before the election.
If you want to vote absentee and return your ballot by mail or in person to your local clerk, you can request one through the state’s online form or at your municipal office. The state recommends allowing seven to 10 days to get your ballot if you request one less than a month before the election.
New voters and those who have moved from one municipality to another can register to vote online until 5 p.m. on Oct. 13. Registrations sent by mail, including those from voter registration drives, must reach your town clerk by that same day. You can also register at any Bureau of Motor Vehicles office until 5 p.m. on Oct. 27.
Voters can register in person at their city or town office at any time up to and including Election Day. You can also register at your polling place on Nov. 3. If you do that, you must show proof of residence at your address, such as an ID or a utility bill.