Early in-person absentee voting begins in Portland, Lewiston

Early in-person absentee voting for the November election begins Monday in Maine’s two largest cities.

Portland residents can vote at the City Clerk’s temporary office space in the Merrill Auditorium via the Myrtle Street entrance. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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If you have already requested your absentee ballot, they will start going out in the mail on Monday.

Ballots can be returned via mail or by dropping them off in the ballot box that is inside the Merrill Auditorium Lobby during business hours. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and all polling places in Portland will be open on that day from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

You can check the status of your absentee ballot request by using the Secretary of State’s new tracking system.

The city of Lewiston is also starting early voting on Monday. Voters can cast their absentee ballots from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at city hall.

[Early in-person absentee voting to begin Oct. 5 in Portland]

City officials in Portland say the demand for absentee ballots have nearly doubled since the last presidential election as they’re seeing an increasing demand for more voting options amid the pandemic.

“More than 22,000 absentee ballots. So, that is obviously significantly higher than it has been in the past,” Portland city clerk Katherine Jones said.

On Thursday, October 29, the City Clerk's Office in Portland will remain open until 7 p.m. for voter registration and in-person absentee voting.

The last day to in-person absentee vote is Friday, October 30. That goes for voters in Lewiston and in Portland.

Absentee ballots can be requested online.

Please wear a mask when in-person voting.