What to know about voting in the June 11 primary in Maine

It’s not too soon to start making a voting plan for the state primary election that is only a few weeks away on June 11. 

This election will not only narrow the field for state senators, state representatives, and county commissioners, but also determine which Republican candidate will face off against Democrat Jared Golden to represent Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. 

Party candidates who are elected in the primary qualify to appear on the November general election ballot. 

Here’s a closer look at what voters need to know.

Who can vote in this primary?

Voters enrolled in the Democratic, Republican and Green Independent parties, as well as those who are unenrolled, may vote in the June primary. Unenrolled voters will select either the Democratic, Republican or Green Independent ballot. 

Anyone enrolled in any other party may not participate in the primary. 

The deadline to withdraw or change one’s enrollment and still be eligible to vote in this primary is May 24. Voters must be in a party for three months before changing to another.

All voters can participate in school board referendums. 

Absentee or early voting

In Maine, any voter can apply to vote absentee without having a specific reason. 

Voters have until the end of the business day on June 6 to request absentee ballots from their municipal clerk. They can be requested online, by mail or by phone. Residents can search the list of municipal clerks and registrars on the Secretary of State website to find more details about obtaining and casting an absentee ballot. 

Ballots must be completed and returned to the clerk by 8 p.m. on June 11. They can be returned via mail or dropped off in designated, external ballot boxes. For example, Portland has a box outside of City Hall. 

Ahead of the election, people may also vote absentee in-person at their local clerk’s office once ballots become available. In Portland, in-person absentee voting begins May 14. 

The Secretary of State also has a tracking system for residents to check the status of their request as well as their ballot after returning it. 

New accommodations for voters

Maine voters can use the online voter registration portal to register to vote for the first time, update their current registration, or change their party enrollment. 

New this year, voters who will be at least 65 years old by the next election or who self-identify as having a disability can apply for ongoing absentee voter status, according to the Secretary of State’s office. 

The application form can be downloaded online and must be returned to their municipal clerk. Voters who qualify will automatically receive absentee ballots for each statewide, municipal and any other election they are eligible to vote in.