HOULTON, Maine — The number of people requesting absentee ballots is on the rise, according to Houlton’s town clerk.
Town Clerk Cathy O’Leary said Friday that she has already sent out 120 absentee ballots, and received 30 of those ballots back, as voters look at alternatives to casting their ballots in person on Election Day.
“The state is really trying to promote absentee balloting this year because of COVID-19,” she said. “We have seen a lot more requests this year than in previous years.”
Primary elections in Maine will be held on Tuesday, July 14. This year, absentee ballots can be issued up to the day of the election, if they come in to the town office and request one, O’Leary said.
Residents can call the town office and request a ballot be mailed to their home address, provided they call before July 9. Ballots can also be requested online via the Secretary of State’s website. Ballots must be returned to the municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.
O’Leary said Election Day will also look a little bit different this year.
“We will have to have six-foot distancing on the line, so that will limit the number of people who will be able to be in the voting area,” she said. “We will also have every third curtain as a voting booth. It will be different but we will get through it. We appreciate everyone’s patience.”
For information, call the town office at 207-532-7111. Additional information can be found at maine.gov.
