HALLOWELL, Maine — Lisa Gilliam has worked Maine elections for 30 years. Like many clerks around the state, she finds the work to be some of the most rewarding.
"I absolutely love it, I love seeing the community come out to vote, all of it, it's always fun... I've always enjoyed it from the beginning and it's more fun than collecting taxes," Gilliam said.
Hallowell City Hall is special too, with its nearly 200-year-old vault keeping town records and ballots inside.
But the thing is there have only been around 60 ballots returned out of 90 requested. Hallowell doesn't have a lot of people but that isn't a lot of absentee ballots at all.
"The candidates on the ballot, there isn't a large selection at this point I think everyone has already had a set mind of who they think is going to be moving forward," Gilliam said.
Hallowell isn't alone, according to the Secretary of State's Office, around 30,000 ballots in total were requested, absentee.
"The numbers have been very low compared to traditional statewide primary races," Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, said. "We are expecting to see very low turnout on Tuesday."
Low turnout isn't the only thing shifting this election cycle. Republicans, who have long criticized absentee and mail-in voting, are now looking to embrace it for their voter base.
Former President and current Republican candidate Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed forms of early voting lead to voter fraud.
There is absolutely zero evidence early voting methods contribute to widespread voter fraud.
"I think it's really important the way we conduct our elections changes, republicans need to stay ahead of the curve," Maine Senate Republican Leader Trey Steward of Aroostook County said.
Stewart said he voted early himself in Presque Isle and suggested other voters do the same.
"It's about embracing this new strategy...it doesn't make any sense to fight it. Go in, take care of that business and it's done and you don't have to worry about it," Stewart said.
Stewart said he believes mail-in voting in Maine is secure, but said he understands why people would be fearful of their ballot not being returned in time.
"I don't want to comment on what may or may not have happened in other states, the Maine system is legit and I understand why some Republicans may be worried if they drop their ballot in the mail," Stewart said.
Bellows said they speak with the US Postal Service to make election mail a high priority.
"We certainly have concerns from the changes to the US Postal Service operations throughout the country and moves to the postal service in Maine would leave to undue mail delays," Bellows said.
She suggested if you truly have concerns take your mail-in ballot to your town or city hall and fill it out there so you can turn it in to the city clerk.