Absentee Voting

What is absentee voting?
The process of absentee voting allows you to cast a ballot without going to the polls on Election Day.

Who can vote absentee?
Any registered voter may cast an Absentee Ballot instead of voting in person at the polls on Election Day.  You don't need to have a specific reason or be unable to vote at the polls on Election Day to receive an absentee ballot.  However, it is important to note that there is a time limit on when the voter can get the ballot; there is an open and closed period with specific instructions.  For more information on this,  please contact the Buxton Town Office at 207-929-6171.

What are the steps to vote by absentee ballot?
Complete an absentee ballot application and deliver it to your municipal clerk to get a ballot; then fill out and deliver the ballot back to your municipal clerk.

When can I request a ballot?
You can request an absentee ballot up to three months before Election Day.

How do I apply for and receive an absentee ballot?
The easiest way to vote absentee is to go to your municipal office and vote absentee in person in the clerk's office.  Go to Town Hall, tell the clerk you want to vote absentee, complete the ballot, with envelope and return it to the clerk.  Absentee ballots are available 30 to 45 days before the election.  You will not need to complete an application if you vote in the clerk's office.
Another easy way to apply, and receive an absentee ballot, is for you to telephone your municipal clerk's office to have a ballot mailed to you.  Voters can only call for their ballot.  A voter cannot request a ballot for another voter by telephone.  If you are a registered Buxton voter and wish to receive a ballot by telephone request call (207) 929-6171 weekdays or (207) 929-5806 after hours, including weekends; or complete an absentee ballot application and deliver it to the municipal clerk to receive a ballot.  Applications are available from the municipal clerk or online. Buxton Registered Voters mail completed applications to: Buxton Town Clerk's Office, 185 Portland Road, Buxton, ME 04093-6532.

You may obtain a ballot for an immediate family member by completing the above application and delivering it to the municipal clerk.

Or you may complete an absentee application requesting that a "third person" (someone other than the voter or the voter's immediate family member) obtain and hand-deliver an absentee ballot.  You must designate, in a written request or application, the specific third person who will handle and deliver the ballot.  Only this designated third person may handle the absentee ballot.  Ballots cast in this way must have the envelope witnessed by either a notary public, a municipal clerk, a clerk of courts, or two other witnesses.  The "third person" can be one of the two witnesses.

Be sure to make your request early to allow enough time for the ballot to be mailed to you.

When must my voted ballot be returned to the municipal clerk?
Voted absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

What if I still have questions?
If you have another question, call the Buxton Town Clerk's Office at (207) 929-6171 or ask by email. You may also contact the State of Maine Election Division by calling (207) 624-7650 or by visiting their website.

How do I locate another municipal clerk?
A list of all Maine municipal clerks can be located by connecting to the State website.

Note:  The above information was customized for the Town of Buxton from the ‚State of Maine Absentee Voting Information flyer prepared by the Secretary of State.  Voting laws change often and all situations are not covered in the above information.