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Voting by absentee ballot

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General rules

• Any registered voter may vote by absentee for any election. No reason is required;
• You may request an absentee ballot up to three months before election day;
• Your ballot must be returned to the clerk by the close of voting on election day.
• More information about voting by absentee ballot may be found on the Maine Secretary of State's site.

The process To vote by absentee ballot a voter must:

1. Request a ballot;
2. Complete the ballot;
3. Return the ballot to the city clerk

There are four ways a voter may request a ballot:

• In person at the city clerk's office;
• By telephone;
• Written request (by the voter or a family member);
• Written request (by a 3rd party);

Requesting a ballot in person

Who may make the request?	The voter only
Is an application needed?	No — unless the voter wishes to take the ballot. In that case it becomes a written request.
How is the ballot delivered?	The clerk hands the ballot to the voter.
Are witnesses needed?	Yes — the clerk serves as the witness.
How is the ballot returned?	The voter hands it back to the clerk.

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Requesting a ballot by telephone

Who may make the request?	The voter only
Is an application needed?	Yes — the clerk completes the application.
How is the ballot delivered?	The clerk mails (or delivers) the ballot to the voter.
Are witnesses needed?	No — unless the voter is assisted. In that case the assistant signs as an aide and another witness is required.
How is the ballot returned?	The voter mails or delivers the ballot to the clerk. A member of the voter's immediate family may also return the ballot. In that case, the family member must sign below the "Telephone Request" making it an immediate family request.

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Requesting a ballot in writing

Who may make the request?	The voter or a member of the voter's immediate family.
Is an application needed?	Yes — it is signed by the voter or the voter's immediate family member.
How is the ballot delivered?	The ballot is mailed or delivered to the voter (if requested by the voter) or to the immediate family member.
Are witnesses needed?	No — unless the voter is assisted by an aide. In that case the aide signs as an aide and another witness is required.
How is the ballot returned?	The voter mails the ballot to the city clerk, or the voter or immediate family delivers the ballot to the clerk.

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Requesting a ballot in writing for delivery by a 3rd person

Who may make the request?	The voter
Is an application needed?	Yes. It is signed by the voter only.
How is the ballot delivered?	The clerk gives the ballot to the person named in the application. No other person may handle the ballot.
Are witnesses needed?	Yes — 1 "special" witness (A notary public, municipal clerk or clerk of courts) or two other witnesses. If the voter is assisted, then the assistant signs as an aide and only one other witness is needed.
How is the ballot returned?	The ballot is delivered to the clerk by the 3rd person named in the application. The voter may also deliver the ballot.