Maine Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should visit the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Important Deadlines

• Voter Registration Form: Received at least 21 days before the election. You may also register in person on Election Day.
• Absentee Ballot Application: No specific deadline. We recommend requesting your ballot at least one month before an election.
• Voted Absentee Ballot: Received by 8:00 PM on Election Day.

How to vote by absentee ballot

Register to vote

Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.

NOTE: You must establish residency in Maine before registering to vote.  The registrar may consider the following factors in determining whether a person has established and maintains a voting residence in the municipality:

• A direct statement of intention by the person pursuant to establish residency in Maine;
• The location of any dwelling currently occupied by the person;
• The place where any motor vehicle owned by the person is registered;
• The residence address, not a post office box, shown on a current income tax return;
• The residence address, not a post office box, where the person receives mail;
• The residence address, not a post office box, shown on any motor vehicle operator's license the person holds;
• The receipt of any public benefit conditioned upon residency, defined substantially as provided in this subsection; or
• Any other objective facts tending to indicate a person's place of residence.

Students in Maine have the right to register in the municipality where they attend school, if they have established residency there. Students must meet the same residency requirements as all other potential voters, but may not be asked to meet any additional requirements.

Students who are not residents of the municipality in which they attend school cannot register in that municipality. Students must determine where they have established residency and register to vote there. If residency is determined to be in another municipality or state, Maine encourages you to vote absentee in your home district. 

Verify your voter registration

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can use the voter registration verification tools here. 

Apply for your absentee ballot

Good news! Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot.

Maine prepares a new absentee ballot application for each election.  Maine election law specificies that an absentee ballot application may not be made available more than 3 months before the election for which the application will be used. The next scheduled statewide election will be held November 2, 2010.  Please check back after August 2, 2010 for the application. 

Some municipalities will also let you apply for an absentee ballot online, so if you're pressed for time, it's worth checking out that option.   

There is no specific deadline for submitting your absentee ballot application, but you should submit your completed application at least one month before the election.  

Receive, complete and return your voted absentee ballot

The ballot itself is pretty straightforward.  Complete the ballot, put it in the envelope, seal it, sign where indicated, and mail it back to your Municipal Clerk.  If anyone helped you read or fill out the ballot, they must sign as a witness.  Otherwise, no witness signature is needed.  Your Municipal Clerk must receive your voted ballot by 8pm on Election Day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to provide ID when I register to vote?

If you are registering to vote for the first time in Maine, and you register to vote by mail, you must include a copy of your ID with your voter registration form.  If you forget, you'll need to provide ID the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot.  If you never provide ID, you'll vote a provisional ballot.  Acceptable identification includes: a current and valid driver’s license or other photo ID that shows your Maine address OR a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and Maine.

Do I need to provide ID when I vote by absentee ballot?

You do not need to provide ID if you've already voted in Maine at least once.  If you're voting for the first time in Maine, and you did not include your ID with your voter registration form, you must include a copy with your absentee ballot application.  Acceptable identification includes: a current and valid driver’s license or other photo ID that shows your Maine address OR a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and address.

Additional Information