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Maine Voter
Guide

2003

 

Prepared by
Dan A. Gwadosky
Secretary of State

 Dear Fellow Citizen,

     Thank you for your interest in voting. This guide explains how to register and vote in state elections in Maine. By voting, you are keeping Maine’s democracy strong and continuing a long history of citizen participation in self-governance in this state and the nation.

It is easy for us to take our right to vote for granted--to decide that voting is not worth the effort or “doesn’t make a difference.” However, having a voice in who represents us and taking a position on major issues facing our State is of critical importance in ensuring our government remains responsive to its people.

For our democracy to work, we must all participate in the process. Please register and vote and encourage your family, friends and neighbors to do the same.

Cast a ballot during the November 4, 2003 referendum election!

Sincerely,

Dan A. Gwadosky
Secretary of State

Register

How do I register to vote?
You must be at least 17 years old to complete a voter registration application and at least 18 years old to actually vote.  Completing the card now means you won’t have to do it later.  A sample application is printed here to help show you what to do.

Where do I go to register?
You may register to vote at your town office, through any Motor Vehicle branch office, through 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 the Secretary of State.

What is the deadline for registering to vote?
It is never too late to register to vote in Maine. You can register to vote up to and including on election day. There is no cut-off date for in-person voter registration.

Here's how to complete a voter registration card:

All required items on the card must be completed or it may be rejected.  No witness or notary is required.  Some of the more common questions are answered below.  (*Note:  This is a sample voter registration card.  Other versions may look slightly different.)

1. Federally required questions. (Required information) Voters who are not U.S. citizens or who will not be at least 18 years of age by the next election are not eligible to register to vote.
2. Party affiliation. (Optional information) Voters must complete this section if they want to be a member of a qualified political party in Maine and to participate in party primaries, caucuses, conventions or other party activities. Voters who do not complete this section, or check "other" (with or without writing a political designation on the line provided), or check the last option (that they do not want to enroll at this time) will be designated on the voting list as "U" for "unenrolled".
3. Name of voter. (Required information) A voter must provide the voter's legal name, as follows:
  • The last name (surname) must be listed (titles of lineage - Sr., Jr., II, III, etc. - may be included).
  • The first name and the middle name or initial or the first name or initial and the middle name must be listed.
4. Date of birth. (Required information) Voters must be at least 18 years of age in order to vote. 17-year-olds may pre-register (and enroll if desired) if they will be 18 years old by the next election.
5. A. Street or location address. (Required information) Voters must provide the street address or physical location where they have established their residence. This cannot be a P.O. Box.
  B. Current mailing address. (If applicable) The mailing address is required only if it is different from the street/physical location address, and is where the voter receives mail. This can be a P.O. Box.
  C. Previous registration address. (Required information) Voters must provide the municipality, county and state in which they were previously registered to vote. If a voter has never been registered, the voter must write "none".
6. Telephone number. (Optional information) If a voter provides a phone number, it becomes public information. A voter whose phone number is unpublished is cautioned against listing it on the application.

7. Change of name. (If applicable) This information is only required if a voter has changed the voter's legal name since registering to vote in Maine.
8. Voter's Signature. (Required information) Voters must sign their legal name below the statement certifying that all the information is true.
9. Voter ID (or Unique ID Number). (Required information AFTER 1/1/06) The purpose of the voter ID number is to designate each voter in the computerized statewide voter registration list, once the list has been developed. The ID number can be accepted now, but it is not required until January 1, 2006.
  A. Driver's License Number. Voters who have a valid Maine Driver's License must list that number.
  B. Social Security Number. Voters who don't have a valid Maine Driver's License must list the last four digits of their Social Security Number.
  C. NONE. Voters who don't have either of these forms of ID must write "NONE" in this space.
10. A. Instructions. The instructions for identification requirements for mail-in registrations remind voters who mail their registration applications to the registrar that they must also provide a copy of certain identity documents with the registration form. The mail-in registrant may submit a copy of a Maine driver's license or other valid photo ID, a current utility bill, a bank statement, a paycheck or other government document that shows the voter's name and address.
  B. For Registrar's Use Only. This space should only be completed by the registrar.
NOTE: If required information is omitted, the registrar must notify the voter that the application is incomplete, and must later reject the application if the information is not provided. If optional information is omitted, the registrar must still process the application and may not reject it for that reason.

Vote

Who can vote?
 You must be a United States citizen,  be at least 18 years old,  live in Maine and be registered to vote in the municipality where you live.

Where do I go to vote?
Every town has its own places where people vote.  You can call your town office to find out where you vote.  Voting places open between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., depending on the size of the town.  Local officials can give you the exact opening time for your community.  However, all polling places close at 8:00 p.m. on election day.

Do I need to go to the polls on Election Day to vote?
No. Any registered voter may cast an absentee ballot instead of voting in person at the polling place.  You do not need to have a specific reason or be unable to vote at the polls on election day to ask for and receive an absentee ballot.  Call your town clerk for an application and assistance.

What if I have questions or don’t know how to contact my local officials?

Contact:
Office of the Secretary of State
Division of Elections
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME  04333-0101
(207) 624-7650
http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec

How do I mark a ballot?
Each ballot tells you how to mark your choices.  If you have a question, ask an election official.  If you make a mistake, fold your ballot and give it to an election official.  The election official will give you another ballot.

When is the next statewide election?
November 4, 2003 is the next statewide election and voters will decide six referenda questions. Your local community or county may also hold elections that day. For more information on the referenda questions, you may contact the Division of Elections for a 2003 Citizen's Guide to the Referendum Election, or you may read the guide online at www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/.

Can I have help voting?
Yes. If you need help reading or marking the ballot, you may ask a relative or friend for assistance.  The helper does not have to be a voter or old enough to vote.  An election official can also help you read or mark a ballot.  However, your employer or union official cannot help you vote.

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