PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Primary elections in Maine will be held on Tuesday, July 14, and local voters have two choices of how to vote: in person or by absentee ballot.
Presque Isle residents who desire to vote in person may do so at the Sargent Family Community Center on Chapman Street from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day. The city will follow safety guidelines established by the state, such as 6-foot social distancing, requiring face coverings and use of hand sanitizer.
However, said city officials, Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap encourages Mainers to vote by absentee ballot this year as part of the ongoing efforts to reduce exposure to the COVID-19 virus to both voters and election workers.
The primary will include voting for U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative, state Senate and state representative. Depending on which party the voter is registered for, there will also be ballot questions on the County Commission and Judge of Probate.
In addition, this election will include voting on the school budget as well as two referendums. Referendum 1 is on a $15 million bond issue for high-speed internet, and Referendum 2 is on a $105 million bond issue for highway and bridge infrastructure.
“For this election, there is no deadline for requesting your absentee ballot,” said Kimberly Smith, Presque Isle resource development and public information office.
“However, those requesting absentee ballots should make certain to do so in plenty of time to allow for receipt, completion and return to the city clerk by close of business on Election Day,” she said.
Dunlap currently has an animated video explaining the absentee voting process in Maine as well as a recorded video message about using absentee ballots. Both of these can be found on the Secretary of State’s website, www.maine.gov/sos.
To request an absentee ballot, residents may visit City Hall in person, call City Hall at 760-2702 or submit a request online at www.maine.gov/sos.
