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March 5, 2024 - Presidential Primary Election Voting Information & Absentee Voting

Posted on: February 6, 2024 - 12:01pm
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The March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election is just a month away and Absentee Voting and Ballots are ready if you prefer to vote early. 

Voting will be held in person on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at Kents Hill School, Alfond Athletic Center,1617 Main St, Readfield. Polls will be open from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Effective January 1, 2024, Maine is transitioning from a closed primary system to a semi-open primary. This means that unenrolled voters can now participate in the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary and June 11, 2024 State Primary.

Voters enrolled in a specific party can only vote in that party’s primary. Unenrolled voters can vote in ONE primary of the party of their choice. More information available on the Ballot Access Matrix Chart for the Presidential Primary Election.

The Democratic and Republican parties are the only parties that will hold primaries on March 5th. The Green Independent and Libertarian parties will not be participating. Voters enrolled in a qualifying party (Forward, No Labels or People’s) do not have an option to select a ballot. They must either enroll in a qualified party or become unenrolled to participate in the primary.

Voters that change or withdraw their enrollment within 15 days of the election are ineligible to participate in the primary. The deadline to change your party enrollment and still be eligible to participate in the March 5 primary is Friday, February 16, 2024. A voter must remain in a party for 3 months before changing parties or unenrolling. 

Sample Ballots:      Democratic     Republican     Declared Write Ins   

To request your absentee ballot:

Please Note: When requesting your ballot; you will receive the ballot for which party you are enrolled in (if enrolled in a qualified/participating party), if you are unenrolled you will need to select which ballot type you would like to receive or your ballot may be rejected and you will have to re-request the ballot. 

  • Online
  • Complete the Absentee Ballot Application and return it to the Readfield Town Office during regular business hours - Forms are also available at the Town Office. 
  • Call the Town Office at 207-685-4939 and talk to a clerk; voice messages/ emails cannot be accepted and we need to speak to the voter who is requesting the Absentee Ballot
  • You may also vote in person during normal business hours
*NEW* Ongoing Absentee Voting 
Beginning February 1, 2024, voters who are or will be at least 65 years of age by the next election or who self identify as a voter with a disability (or who meet both conditions) can submit a written application to request ongoing absentee voter status. Learn more here or contact Kristin for more information or for an application. 
 

The last day to vote Absentee is Thursday, February 29, 2024 by 5:00 pm - the clerk will be in the office on this day (as it is a Thursday) until 5:00 pm this day for absentee voting only!

New to Readfield and need to register to vote? Stop in at the Town Office and complete a Voter Registration Card or by mail (mail in registration cards must be received before the closed period begins / end of business day on Tuesday, February 13, 2024) or *NEW* Online - you can also change your party enrollment online as well. 

If you have any questions; please contact Kristin, Town Clerk at 207-685-4939 or clerk@readfieldmaine.org or go online under the VOTING tab to get all the up-to-date information. More information is available on the Secretary of State Elections Pages