AUGUSTA, Maine — The primary election on June 11 in Maine is fast approaching, but early voting is already underway. Here's what you should know before you head to the polls.
While many Mainers will be voting at local polling stations that Tuesday, voting is already underway in communities across the state. Portland voters have been able to cast in-person absentee ballots at City Hall for the past two weeks.
"Over the years, absentee voting has become more popular, it’s extremely convenient for voters, we want to try to get the information out and allow voters to vote any way they possibly can. Sometimes things come up where individuals are working or they have to be out of town on Election Day," Portland's City Clerk Ashley Rand said.
However, there are deadlines approaching that voters should know.
In-person absentee voting must be done by close of business on Thursday June 6. That's also the deadline to request an absentee ballot from your local clerk. Absentee ballots must also be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
You can now track your absentee ballot from the moment you request it, to when it's accepted by a clerk. Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, said that's done with the absentee ballot envelope.
"It’s really great technology, it also has checks and balances to ensure election security around the absentee voting," Bellows added.
More than 16,000 absentee ballots have been requested as of this week, Bellows said, which hopefully encourages more Mainers to cast their ballots.
A huge focus during a Presidential election year is November's election, but voters will make plenty of local and statewide decisions in June.
Some communities like Lewiston, Cumberland, and North Yarmouth will vote on school budgets or new school funding. There are also Congressional primaries in both of Maine's Congressional Districts, as well as local legislative primaries.
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"This is our first statewide primary with legislative races where unenrolled voters can choose the ballot of their choice," Bellows said.
Like March's Presidential Primary Election, unenrolled voters can choose the party ballot of their choice. Bellows added that for this election, unenrolled voters do not need to vote in the same party's primary that they did in June. They can make their choice in every primary election.
Voters enrolled in a party will still vote that party's primary ballot.
The deadline to change your party affiliation has passed for June's primary, however.
While some voters might be surprised to learn that on Election Day, you can still change your party affiliation before November's Election Day.
There are also ways to get involved during the upcoming election, or any future election. You can check in with your local clerk to see if volunteer opportunities are available on June 11. Maine voters are allowed to volunteer at polling locations in their home community, or in any town in their home county.
"Or, if [your polling location has] enough election workers but you want you to participate as an observer for a portion of the day, that is also an option under Maine law," Bellows said.
Observers from different parties help monitor polling locations to help ensure election security.
Another reminder, races with at least three candidates will be ranked-choice races like the Democratic State Representative races for Districts 118 and 123.
Ballots will look different depending on your party affiliation, and what city, town, or district you live in. Sample ballots are available on your local town or city's website. You can also find more information ahead of primary day on the Secretary of State's website.