Registering to vote is easy and it’s free.
Registering online is not.
But what if you don’t have a local precinct, precinct chair, or county board?
We’ve put together a handy guide to help you figure that out.
What you need to know about registering to vote Maine:What are your options if I can’t get to my polling place?
If you can’t register to cast a ballot in your county, you may be able to do so by mail or at a polling place on Election Day.
To find a polling location near you, go to the Maine Secretary of State website and select the county where you live.
If you live in an outlying county, the nearest county elections office is typically located in the township or village where you are registered to vote.
You can also get to your polling place by calling your local County Board of Elections office, which usually has a location near where you can vote.
The secretary of state’s office will then ask you to provide your name and address and give you a letter stating that you can cast a vote in your precinct.
If there is no county board of elections in your jurisdiction, you can still vote in person.
If your county board does not have an election office near you and you can get there by car, you must make arrangements to do it by mail.
Your local board of election will then call you to schedule a meeting at which you can complete your voter registration.
If that meeting is not available or you are unable to get to the polling place, you’ll be sent a provisional ballot, which will contain the name, address, and date of birth of the person who you cast your ballot.
You may also have to provide a copy of your Social Security card and a photo ID, which may be required if you are eligible to vote as a veteran.
You’ll also need to provide proof of residency, such as a birth certificate or a state driver’s license.
If the county board is not in your neighborhood, you should contact the Maine Department of Elections to get an estimate of the number of voters in your area who can vote for you.
If you don “want to” vote, you’re free to vote at your own pace.
You have to be 21 or older to vote or cast a provisional vote in most cases.
If, however, you want to cast your vote in a precinct that is outside of your area, you will need to make an appointment to cast in person, which can be done by calling the Secretary of the State’s Office at 207-457-4000.
You should be able get to a polling station by 8:00 a.m. and cast your provisional ballot.
If voting in a rural area, or in an area that has not been mapped or designated as a polling site, you might have to make arrangements with a local voting official.
You must also provide proof that you have not been previously registered to register in that area.
If an election official does not answer your calls, you have the right to make a call yourself.
You should not be turned away at a voting station.
You are not required to vote on Election Night if you do not have a voting registration card.
If a poll worker is not able to find you a polling address, you still can cast your voting ballot in person and vote in the election.
You will need the name and mailing address of your precinct elections office, as well as proof of address.
If anyone asks you to show proof of your residency, you are free to do that.
If no election official will answer your call, you could try calling your county election office, or by calling a polling facility in your district.
If someone asks you for proof of a vote you cast, you do have to produce proof of registration.
You need to show your voter ID card, voter registration form, or proof of identification, such an employment authorization card, utility bill, or utility bill stub.
If someone asks for proof that your vote is cast in a county that is not your district, you need proof that the election office is open and accessible to the general public.
If an election worker does not respond to your call for a polling date, you, or someone in your household, may file a complaint with the Maine Division of Elections.
The complaint must be filed by fax or mail and include a copy the county clerk’s office or board of county commissioners office, address of the precinct elections site, and the date of the election, and ask the office to investigate the issue.
If it turns out that there is a problem with the registration of voters, the county elections supervisor may decide to investigate it and make an investigation to determine if there is any way to fix the problem.
If necessary, the board of supervisors may order a special election to be held, or may order the county to conduct a new election.
The Secretary of Justice will then make a determination as to whether or not the election was