FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Contact: Kristen Schulze Muszynski, 207-626-8400

Absentee ballots for Special Election now available by request via online service

AUGUSTA – The Online Absentee Ballot Request Service is now available for the Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Special Election to fill the Senate District 14 seat, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows notified voters today.

“We want to ensure that citizens of Senate District 14 have every opportunity to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election,” said Secretary Bellows. “The online service provides convenience and peace of mind for the voters, especially during a pandemic.”

Senate District 14 includes the municipalities of Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, West Gardiner and Winthrop. Secretary Bellows had been re-elected to the Senate District 14 seat in November, but declined to be sworn in, as she was subsequently elected to the position of Secretary of State on Dec. 2, 2020. For more information about the Senate vacancy, including a list of candidates, visit the Upcoming Elections webpage.

Any registered Maine voter may choose to vote absentee, either via mail or in person at their town or city hall prior to Election Day. Voters do not need to provide a reason to vote absentee. All municipalities in Senate District 14 will also be open for in-person voting on Election Day.

The online service provides an email notification with a confirmation number. When the request is processed and accepted by the municipal clerk, the voter will receive additional notification and the ballot will arrive by mail. Voters can track the status of the absentee ballot, from request to acceptance by the clerk, using the absentee ballot tracker service.

All Maine municipalities are required to accept electronic requests for absentee ballots. Voters can also print out the form and mail or hand-deliver it to their municipal clerk.
For voters with disabilities, the accessible absentee ballot option is also available, providing an option for these voters to complete the voting process electronically.

If you have questions about the absentee voting process in Maine, visit the Department of Secretary of State Absentee Voter Information webpage, or call the Division of Elections at 624-7650.