State of Maine
Voter
Guide
2004
Prepared by
Matthew Dunlap
Secretary of State
For additional information, contact:
Office of the Secretary of State
Division of Elections
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101
(207) 624-7650
CEC.Elections@maine.gov
www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/
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Welcome
Dear Maine Resident,
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the process of registering and voting in Maine. Your interest in voting is appreciated.
This guide explains how to register and vote in state elections. By voting, you are keeping Maine’s democracy strong and continuing a long history of citizen participation in the governing of our state and nation.
It’s easy to take our right to vote for granted--to decide that voting isn’t worth the effort or “doesn’t make a difference.”
The reality is that voting makes a tremendous difference. By casting a ballot, each citizen has a voice in deciding who will serve in office and what positions will be taken on major issues.
Voting is of critical importance to the strength and vitality of our system of government, and I congratulate you for recognizing its significance.
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.
Help make Maine #1 in the nation for voter turnout - cast a ballot in the November 2nd General Election!
Sincerely,
Matthew Dunlap
Secretary
of State
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Register
Who can register and vote in Maine?
To register, you must be a United States citizen, at least 17 years of age, and live in Maine.
To vote, you must be registered in the community where you reside, and be at least 18 years of age. A new law will allow many 17 year olds to vote for candidates in June primary elections beginning in 2006.
How do I register to vote?
You fill out a voter registration card. There’s a sample card in this brochure with instructions.
Where do I go to register?
You can register to vote at your town office or city hall, through any Motor Vehicle branch office, in most state & federal social service agencies, or at voter registration drives.
Completed voter registration cards may be hand delivered or mailed to your town office or city hall, or sent to the Secretary of State’s Office in Augusta.
Is there a deadline for registering?
No. It’s never too late to register to vote in Maine. You can register to vote until, and including, election day. There is no cut-off date for registering to vote in person at your town office or city hall.
When is the next election?
November 2 , 2004 is the next statewide General Election.
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. Common questions
are answered below. NOTE: This is a sample card--other versions may look different.
| 1. |
Federally required questions. Individuals 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) 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) Voters must provide the 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) Voters must be at least 18 years of age in
order to vote. However, 17-year-olds may pre-register if they will be 18 years old by the next election. |
| 5. |
A. |
Street or location address.
(Required) Voters must provide the street address or
physical location where they have established their residence. This
cannot be a P.O. Box address. |
| |
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 address. |
| |
C. |
Previous registration address.
(Required) 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) 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 of voters who have changed their legal name since registering to vote in Maine. |
| 8. |
Voter's Signature.
(Required) 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 municipal registrar that they must also provide a copy of certain identity documents
with the registration form. Mail-in registrants must submit a
copy of a Maine driver's license or other valid photo ID, a current
utility bill, or bank statement, or 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 municipal registrar or voters. |
| NOTE: If required
information is omitted, the municipal registrar of voters must notify the applicant that
the form 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
Where
do I go to vote?
Every town and city has its own places where people vote. You can call your town office or city hall 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. All polling places close at 8:00 p.m. on election day.
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.
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.
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 use an absentee ballot. Call your town or city clerk for an application and assistance.
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