x
Breaking News
More () »

Your questions about absentee ballots answered

NEWS CENTER Maine is working to answer our viewers questions on elections and voting, including on absentee ballots.

MAINE, USA — We are two weeks away from Election Day. This election cycle, we have been working to answer all your voting and election questions. Many of you have been asking about absentee ballots.

A viewer named Michelle asked: "I have an absentee ballot. Can I fill it out and bring to my voting place and skip the line?"

The short answer? Yes. 

"You still need to sign your envelope, and you can bring your absentee ballot in that envelop to that polling place," Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said. "Now a lot of municipalities have an absentee drop box that's an official drop box you can place your ballot in the drop box. Those are checked at least once a day by the election officials and sometimes more frequently."

RELATED: Study ranks which states are hardest to vote in

You can still vote absentee in Maine. Bellows said states will mail absentee ballots to people, but Maine voters need to apply for an absentee ballot.

Bellows said you can apply online, by calling your town clerk, or by going to your town office to apply for a ballot in person.

Then, fill it out and either bring it to your town office in person or mail it back, but you have to mail it early enough so it can be counted on Election Day.

RELATED: No, absentee ballots aren’t only counted in close races

RELATED: A look at how Maine counts and secures its paper ballots

RELATED: How to vote in Maine this upcoming election

Before You Leave, Check This Out