Absentee Voting

Absentee ballots may be requested beginning 90 days before Election Day and through the close of business the Thursday before the election, unless one of the following special circumstances exist: 

  • Unexpected absence from the municipality during the entire time the polls are open on election day; or
  • Physical or mental disability;
  • Inability to travel to the polls if the voter is a resident of a coastal island ward or precinct; or
  • Incapacity or illness that has resulted in the voter being unable to leave home or a treatment facility; or
  • Being a caregiver who is unable to attend the polls due to the incapacity or illness of another person.
 

If special circumstances exist, voters may request an absentee ballot by completing and signing a Special Circumstances Application. This application can be obtained from the City Clerk or from the Secretary of State.

There are many ways to request an absentee ballot. Ballots must be requested from the municipal clerk where you are registered to vote -- unless you are a U.S. citizen living outside the U.S. or an uniformed service voter -- then you request your ballot from the Secretary of State.

You may vote by absentee ballot in person in the City Clerk’s Office located in Auburn Hall, 60 Court Street between the hours of 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday beginning approximately 30 days before the election. The statewide deadline to request an absentee ballot is the Thursday before each election. We normally offer extended hours prior to the election. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office for details.

You can request for your own ballot by calling the City Clerk’s Office at 207.333.6601 ext. 1121 or 1124. The ballot will be mailed to you at the address you provide to the clerk.

You may also request your own ballot and track the status of your absentee ballot by using the online absentee ballot request service. PLEASE NOTE: This service is not available for local only elections. 

You can make a written request by filling out an absentee ballot application. An immediate family member may also request an absentee ballot for you by filling out a written application. A ballot will be mailed to the voter directly or given to an immediate family member making the request. For information on who is considered an immediate family member under the law, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.

Absentee ballots are available 30 days before the election and may be requested in writing, by phone, online, or in person. If you are asking to receive your ballot by mail, please request it early enough to allow for postal mail delivery time - both to receive it and return it (at least 7 days each way).

NEW IN 2024

Voters who will be at least 65 years of age by the next election or who self-identify as a voter with a disability(or who meet both conditions) can submit a written application to request ongoing absentee voter status. For more information, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 207-333-6601 ext. 1121. To request ongoing absentee voter status, please complete the application and submit it to the Office of the City Clerk. 

For additional information regarding absentee voting, please go to: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/absenteeguide.html