Earlier this week, Maine’s Department of the Secretary of State released information regarding the upcoming election on Nov. 5, 2024. The announcement provided details on voter registration, absentee voting and an informational guide on referendum questions that are on this year’s ballot.
Uniformed and overseas voters began receiving ballots on Sept. 19 in accordance with federal law that requires these ballots be sent at least 45 days prior to Election Day. Qualifying voters include spouses and dependents away from their Maine voting residence by reason of active duty or service of the member, and U.S. citizens currently living outside the U.S. and whose residence before leaving the U.S. was in Maine.
Anyone who recently deployed or may otherwise qualify to receive an early ballot and didn’t request to receive one can do so here.
Maine allows same-day voter registration, meaning Mainers may register to vote and cast their ballot on Election Day. However, anyone who wishes to use the state’s online voter registration service must do so before Oct. 16. Automatic voter registration during Bureau of Motor Vehicle transactions is available through Tuesday, Oct. 29. After those deadlines, registrations must be done in person at the voter’s municipality.
The Department said in-person absentee voting begins in towns and cities around the state on Oct. 7. Absentee ballots to be filled out at home and sent back may also be requested by contacting local town or city clerks or by the state’s online portal. Absentee voting ends the Thursday before Election Day, which for this year is Oct. 31.
Finally, the Department said the Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election, a non-partisan resource that can help inform voters about Maine’s five referendum questions appearing on the ballot this year, is available online. Copies of the guide are also printed and distributed to municipal offices and public libraries throughout the state.
Webmaster’s Note: The guide offered in the last paragraph is a very thorough explanation of the referendum questions, fiscal impacts, etc.