Absentee Voting

General Absentee Ballot Information

Maine state law permits absentee ballots to be cast at any election by any voter who properly requests a ballot. Voters can request an absentee ballot for any reason, until the Thursday before the upcoming election. Absentee ballots normally become available at the City Clerk's Office 30 days prior to the election.

Waterville voters may request an absentee ballot at any time beginning 90 days before an election. The statewide deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is at the close of business on the Thursday before election day. Voters who seek to obtain an absentee ballot after this deadline may do so if there are extenuating circumstances, such as medical emergencies. Voters may request an absentee ballot for no reason in the following ways - in writing:

  • Voters and immediate family members of voters can request an absentee ballot by submitting a completed application by 4:30 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the election.
  • Voters can request an Ongoing Absentee Ballot (PDF). This means a voter who will be at least 65 years of age by the next election or who self-identifies as having a disability may apply for ongoing absentee ballot voter status. If the voter qualifies, they will automatically receive an absentee ballot for each statewide election, municipal election, and any other election for which the voter is eligible to vote.

By Telephone

A voter may request an absentee ballot over the phone by calling 207-680-4209 during regular business hours. Absentee ballots requested over the phone (after the ballots are available in the City Clerk's office approximately 30 days before election day) are mailed out on the same day and can be returned by mail, in person at City Hall, or by an immediate family member. Absentee ballots must be returned by 8:00 p.m. on election day.

In-person

A voter may vote by absentee ballot in-person at City Hall Annex, located at 46 Front Street. General hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Before each election, the City Clerk's Office will announce when in-person absentee voting will be open at the City Hall Annex. Before each major election, the City Clerk's Office usually offers special evening hours to allow an opportunity for residents to register to vote or to cast an absentee ballot. Please call the Office at 207-680-4210 first to verify the date and time of the extended hours.

Online

For state-wide elections, an Online Absentee Ballot Request Service is available, which is activated prior to each upcoming election.

Returning Absentee Ballots

Completed absentee ballots must be received at City Hall by 8:00 p.m. on election day. Ballots can be mailed, so please allow extra time. Ballots may be delivered to City Hall by dropping the ballots in the secure drop box located outside of the main entrance of City Hall.