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Here's what you need to know if you're voting in Maine in 2012:
Do I need ID to vote?
No. If you are registered to vote in Maine, you do not need ID to vote. If you are registering on Election Day, you will need to provide proof of identity and residency (see "Voter Registration").
Where do I vote?
Every town and city has its own places where people vote. You can call your town office or city hall to find out where you vote, or use the online Voter Information Lookup service at www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/lookup_voter_info.
What hours are the polls open?
Local officials can give you the exact opening time for your municipality. All polling places close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
VOTER REGISTRATION
Do I need ID to register?
Yes. When registering, you must provide either a Maine driver's license number, Maine state ID number or Social Security number. New mail-in registrants must submit a copy of a Maine driver's license or other valid photo ID, or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document that shows the voter's name and address.
Where do I go to register?
You can register to vote at your town office or city hall, through any motor vehicles branch office, in most state and federal social service agencies or at voter registration drives. Completed voter registration cards may be hand-delivered or mailed to your town office or city hall, or sent to the secretary of state's office in Augusta.
Is there a deadline for registering?
No. It's never too late to register to vote in Maine. You can register to vote until, and including, Election Day. There is no cut-off date for registering to vote in person at your town office or city hall. If you want to register to vote by mail, the cut-off date is the close of business on the 21st day before the election.
ABSENTEE VOTING
Who may vote absentee?
Any registered voter may cast an absentee ballot instead of voting in person at a polling location on Election Day. You don't need to have a specific reason or be unable to vote at the polls on Election Day to receive an absentee ballot.
When can I request an absentee ballot?
Absentee ballots may be requested beginning three months before Election Day and until the third business day prior to the election, unless special circumstances exist. Make your request early to allow enough time for the ballot to be mailed to you.
How do I apply for and receive an absentee ballot?
Contact the municipal clerk in the town or city where you are registered to vote. (Uniformed Service and Overseas voters will request an absentee ballot directly from the Secretary of State, Division of Elections.)
- Request by phone: You can make a telephone request for your ballot, which will be mailed to the address you provide to the clerk.
- Request online: You can request your ballot electronically using the secretary of state's online absentee ballot request service. The approved online form can be found at www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl.
- Request by mail: You can make a written request by completing an absentee ballot application.
Can I vote by absentee ballot in person somewhere?
Yes. You may vote absentee at the clerk's office as soon as absentee ballots are available. Absentee ballots are available starting 30 to 45 days before the election at the municipal clerk's office. You don't need to complete an application if you vote in person at the clerk's office.
When must my voted ballot be returned to my municipal clerk?
Absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
For more information about voting, contact the Maine Office of the Secretary of State, Division of Elections at 207-624-7650 or go to www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/.