Polling Place: Camden Public Safety Building
***To adhere to public health and social distancing guidelines, a limited number of voters at a time will be permitted into the polling location. Other voters may need to wait outside until authorized to enter to maintain the allowable number of persons present in the building. EARLY VOTING AT HOME AND REQUESTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT The Town is encouraging residents to consider voting by absentee ballot for the safety of both the voters and election workers. To minimize interaction with others during this public health pandemic (COVID-19), some voters may prefer voting by absentee ballot. Casting an absentee ballot is convenient and secure. Absentee ballots will be available beginning October 5, 2020. Camden voters wishing to obtain an absentee ballot and vote from home can order their ballots now by one of three options: 1. Order via website Absentee Ballot by Electronic Request Form 2. Mail, deliver to Town Office drop box or fax your request Absentee Ballot Application 3. Call the Town Clerk's Office at 207-236-3353 ext 1 to request an absentee ballot The statewide deadline to request an absentee ballot is by 5pm on Friday, October 30, 2020. Please request and return your ballot early enough to allow for postal mail delivery time. RETURNING YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT All completed absentee ballots must be received in the Town Clerk's Office at Camden Public Safety Buidling by 8pm on November 3. You can return your ballot a few ways:
EARLY VOTING AT TOWN HALL
The Town's Early Voting Polling Place will be set up in the Town Clerk's Office. This will open in mid-October. The exact dates and times will be posted soon. |
| STATE BALLOT INFORMATION The state candidate ballots will contain races for United States President, United States Senator, U.S. Representative to Congress, State Senate, State Representatives and county offices.For more information about the state candidates and ballot questions, please click here VOTER REGISTRATION & POLITICAL PARTY ENROLLMENT Residents are encouraged to update their voter registration information, party enrollment or register to vote prior to Election Day to help reduce lines. For more Information concerning this scroll down the page. |
Questions regarding this election or voter registration can be directed to the Town Clerk’s Office at 207-236-3353 ext 1 or koakes@camdenmaine.gov |
Sample ballots will be posted once we receive them, which is usually around the first full week of October.
VOTER REGISTRATION
How do I register to vote?
As of January 1, 2020, 16-year olds may pre-register to vote. You must be 18 years old to actually vote. Note: At Primary Elections a 17 is eligible to vote a candidate ballot if they will be 18 by the November General Election. They cannot vote a referendum ballot though at the Primary Election, Municipal Election, or School Election.
Where do I go to register?
You may register to vote at your Town Office, through any motor Vehicle branch office or at voter registration drives. Completed voter registration cards may be delivered by hand or mailed to the Town Clerk's Office. Note: If less than 21 days before an election, you must register in person.
Political parties recognized in the State of Maine
- Democratic Party
- Green Independent Party
- Republican Party
Unenrolled -This means you are not affiliated with any of the above parties. Voters who want a designation of “Independent” are designated as Unenrolled on the voter list.
Enrollment Eligibility for November General & Referendum Elections- In a general election it does not matter what party you are in. Each voter will be given a ballot that has candidates from all the political party designations and independents as well. You can vote for any candidate that you want.
Primary Elections, Caucus & Convention Enrollment Eligibility
A voter who files an application to change enrollment is ineligible to vote in a party caucus, convention or a Primary Election for 15 days after submitting the application to the Registrar. **Exception to 15-day ineligibility: Voters who move to a new municipality may enroll in a different party with no 15-day waiting period. They get a "clean slate" when they move.
Unenrolled voters - May enroll at any time, including Election Day, by completing and filing a new voter registration application with the Municipal Registrar - this is not considered a change of enrollment. If a unenrolled voter chooses not to enroll in a party they will not be eligible to vote a party candidate ballot, but they can vote a referendum ballot. A voter who enrolls on Election Day is ineligible to file a withdrawal application after voting.
How long must a voter remain in a party? - Voters must remain in a party for 3 months before the voter can file an application for either a withdrawal (go to unenrolled) or a change in enrollment. A voter who enrolls on Election Day is ineligible to file a withdrawal application after voting. The voter must wait 3 months before filing an application to withdraw or change parties.
Are there other restrictions on withdrawal from a party? - There is also a 15-day waiting period for a voter who withdraws from a party, unless voter has moved to a new municipality. The voter is ineligible to enroll in a different party for 15 days. A voter may re-enroll in the same party within 15 days after filing a written request for withdrawal from a party.
WHERE DO I VOTE?
All residents vote at the Camden Public Safety Building, 31 Washington Street. The polls are open from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
For more information about registration, statewide referenda and candidates, we suggest the Maine Secretary of State's Elections page.
WRITE-IN CANDIDACY
WHO IS A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE?
A "write-in candidate" is a person:
- Whose name is not printed on the ballot; and
- Who otherwise fulfills the qualifications for the office designated; and
- Who receives one or more valid write-in votes for an office listed on a primary, general or special election ballot; and
HOW DOES A VOTER CAST A WRITE-IN VOTE?
A voter must mark the write-in indicator (oval) as instructed on the ballot;
AND
The voter must also write the name in the blank space provided at the end of the list of candidates for that office.
MINIMUM NUMBER OF VOTES NEEDED
For a General Election: the person receiving the greatest number of votes is elected.
RANKED CHOICE VOTING - Some races on the November 6, 2018 General election ballot will be determined via Ranked-choice voting which means the ballot will be laid out a bit differently to allow voters to "rank their choice" of candidates for each race as follows: first choice, second choice, third choice and so forth.
For more information on Ranked-choice voting you can visit the Department of the Secretary of State "Resources for Ranked-choice voting" webpage.
