Maine begins accepting absentee ballot requests for November election

Maine voters are now eligible to submit requests for absentee ballots for the Nov. 8 general election.

The actual ballots won’t be available and mailed to voters until October, but voters could begin submitting their requests for absentee ballots online or through their town or city clerk as of Monday.

Maine voters do not need to state a reason for voting by absentee ballot.

“Maine’s no-excuse absentee voting law is a big reason our elections are accessible, safe and secure,” Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said in a written statement Monday. “Mainers lead busy lives, or they may find it difficult to vote in-person on Election Day, and no-excuse absentee voting ensures they can make their voices heard.”

Absentee ballots will be mailed to voters who request them beginning 30 days before the election. Maine’s absentee voting period, including in-person absentee voting at town and city halls, continues through Nov. 3.

Maine voters can only submit one absentee request – if they submit multiple requests, only the first one will be filled. Voters can track the process of their requests online here.

All absentee ballots must be received by a voter’s municipality by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8.

Voters who participate in Maine’s general election in November will choose a governor, two U.S. House members and all 186 state legislators, as well as county and local office holders.