Elections
The State of Maine general and referendum elections and municipal elections are held annually on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. The primary election is held on the second Tuesday of June of each general election year.
Registering to Vote
The State of Maine allows residents to register to vote any time leading up to and including the day of the election. Residents of Calais may register to vote at the City Clerk’s Office, located on the first floor at the City Building (11 Church Street). Proof of residency and identity is required, such as a driver’s license indicating a physical street address in Calais (not a post office box mailing address).
Changing Your Registration Status
If you are currently registered and wish to change any information, such as your married name or residence address (which is pertinent to your voting record), please visit the City Clerk’s Office or mail the new information to: City Clerk, 11 Church Street, Calais, ME 04619.
Enrolling in a Political Party
Currently there are three political parties within the State of Maine: Democrat, Green-Independent, and Republican. Registered voters may enroll in one of these three political parties. However, voters who wish to register to vote do not have to select a political party.
The employees in the City Clerk’s Office cannot answer questions regarding the purposes and objectives of the various political parties. Calais voters with questions regarding activities of the local political parties are encouraged to contact their local party chairperson or explore the following links for additional information about each party:
Polling Location for Calais Residents
Unless otherwise specified, in-person voting is held at the Calais Recreation Building, located at 11 Academy Street. Parking is available along Academy Street or in the parking lot accessed from Lincoln Street.
Absentee Voting
State law permits absentee ballots to be cast at any election by any voter who properly requests a ballot. If a voter is interested in voting in a particular election, but is unable to go to the polling place on election day, then the voter should obtain an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots become available at the City Clerk’s Office (11 Church Street) 30 days prior to the election.
Ways to Vote by Absentee Ballot
- Calais voters may request an absentee ballot at any time between 5 and 30 days before any election. The statewide deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is at the close of business on the Thursday before an election day. Voters needing an absentee ballot after this deadline may do so if there are extenuating circumstances, such as medical emergencies.
- A voter may vote by absentee ballot in person at the City Building, located at 11 Church Street. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to https://storage.googleapis.com/juniper-media-library/153/2024/11.
- A voter may also call and request a ballot be sent by mail, prior to the deadline. Ballots are mailed on a daily basis. On behalf of the voter, an immediate family member may request in writing that a ballot be sent by mail or delivered to the voter by a family member. Note: If a ballot is returned by another immediate family member, the other immediate family member must also sign the application or written request indicating they returned the ballot and must state the relationship to the voter.