Maine Midterm Polls: Planning to vote early or absentee? Check the complete guide to cast your ballot successfully and on time

The US midterm elections are set to be held on November 3, 2026. If you are in Maine and have plans to vote early or absentee, you have two ways to do it. Those who want to vote in person to choose their preferred candidates can go to their respective municipal office and cast their ballot.

The voter needs to inform the clerk that they are willing to vote absentee. Once done, the individual will receive their ballot and can complete it and return it to the clerk during their visit.

The other option is voting by mail. If the voter has requested an absentee ballot online or by mail, they can return their completed ballot to their respective municipal office, take it to their secure ballot drop box in their town, or mail it back.


In this case, the voter needs to ensure that the ballot must be received by your municipal clerk by 8 p.m. on the election day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026

The in-person vote option opened on October 5, 2026 (Monday), and will remain open till the close of business on Thursday (October 29, 2026). Anyone in the state can vote early or absentee without the need of providing any excuse to do so.

When must your voted ballot be returned to my municipal clerk?

If you want your vote to be taken into consideration, voted absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Check the procedure for the U.S. Postal Service

For those who are mulling the option of using the U.S. mail to receive or return their absentee ballot, they must ensure that the following U.S. Postal Service advisories are followed for mail delivery:

• Request your ballot no later than 15 days prior to Election Day.
• Return your ballot no later than 7 days prior to Election Day.

Once done, it is the responsibility of the USPS to ensure that all absentee ballots returned to the municipal clerk by mail at least seven days prior to Election Day are guaranteed to be delivered in time to be cast and counted in the election.


Also Read: Vermont midterm elections 2026: What happens if there is a problem with your mail-in ballot?


If you are planning to return your ballot outside of the suggested USPS delivery window, you should consider dropping off your ballot in person or through an absentee ballot drop box at your municipal office (if available) no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. In case you fail to do so, you always have the option to vote in person at the polls on Election Day.