Election Information and Absentee Ballot Procedures (Absentee application not available at this time)
Voter Registration information
Sample Ballot (Click here for view; scan a copy each election)
Public Notice of Warrant
· The annual Municipal election is held on the 1st Monday and Tuesday in May. Monday is the "secret ballot" election of town officials; town councilors; school committee members; and MDI District Trustee; and referendum. Tuesday is the open town meeting voting on the next fiscal year budget, etc.
· The State/Federal General Election is held on the 1st Tuesday of November. The State Primary Election is held on the 2nd Tuesday of June of each general election year.
· Elections are held in the Municipal Building auditorium, third floor, 93 Cottage Street.
· Polls open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.
· Absentee Ballot Information
Effective April 10, 2000: Maine now has "no reason" absentee voting. The law now permits absentee ballots to be cast at any election by any voter who properly requests a ballot.
ABSENTEE VOTING GUIDE FOR REQUESTING & RECEIVING ABSENTEE BALLOTS
Voting at Municipal Building - A voter may cast his/her ballot at Municipal Building during normal working hours (Monday - Friday 8:30a.m.-5:00 p.m.). Absentee ballots are available approximately 30 days prior to the election.
No application is needed. The ballot is witnessed by the clerk, deputy or assistant.
Note: If the voter requests to take the absentee ballot, the voter may do so after completing an application. The voter returns the ballot by mail or in person to the clerk.
Telephone Request - A voter may request a ballot by telephone. The clerk completes an application. The clerk verifies the voter's identity by confirming the voter's residence and date of birth.
The clerk mails the ballot to the voter at the address listed on the request.
No witnesses are needed, unless the voter is assisted. If assisted, the aide and 1 other person signs as witness.
The voter returns the ballot by mail or in person to the clerk.
Written Request by the Voter (Received by Mail, by Fax or In Person)
A voter may request a ballot by completing an application or written request.
The clerk mails the ballot to the voter at the address listed on the request, or gives the ballot to the voter, to take with the voter.
No witnesses are needed unless the voter is assisted. If assisted, the aide and 1 other person signs as witness.
The voter returns the ballot by mail or in person to the clerk.
Written Request by the Voter's Immediate Family Member (Received by Mail, by Fax or In Person)
An immediate family member (spouse, parent, child, sister, brother, stepparent, stepchild, stepsister, stepbrother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, guardian or former guardian(relationship must be indicated on the application) of the voter may request a ballot on behalf of the voter. An application or written request must be completed by the immediate family member.
The clerk mails the ballot to the voter at the address listed on the request, or releases the ballot to the immediate family member.
No witnesses are needed unless the voter is assisted. If assisted, the aide and 1 other person signs as witness.
The voter or immediate family member returns the ballot by mail or in person to the clerk. Immediate family member request is not considered a 3rd person ballot.
If the 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. The family member must state his/her relationship to the voter.
Written Request by the Voter (Received by Mail, by Fax, or In Person)-3rd Person Designated
A voter only may request a ballot to be delivered by a 3rd person. The voter must request a 3rd person ballot, by completing an application or written request.
A 3rd person can not be a candidate or a member of a candidate's immediate family.
The clerk releases the ballot to the 3rd person only named in the request.
Ballot must be witnessed by a notary public, a municipal clerk, a clerk of courts, or 2 other individuals. If assisted, the aide and 1 other person signs as witness.
The 3rd person returns the ballot in person to the clerk. The voter may return the ballot in person, however witnesses are still required if a 3rd person handles the ballot going out or coming back.
A 3rd person may have up to 5 absentee ballots for a municipality at one time.
(Updated 8/99)
Voters Registration
· The State of Maine allow residents to register to vote anytime, including the day of the election.
· Bar Harbor residents may register to vote at the Town Clerk’s office or when changing or renewing a driver’s license at the Registry of Motor Vehicles twenty days or more prior to an election.
· Proof of residency and proof of identity is required, e.g. driver’s license indicating Bar Harbor physical address.
· Residence for Voting Purposes as defined in M.R.S.A. Title 21 A sec. 112, is that place where the person has established a fixed and principal home to which the person, whenever temporarily absent, intends to return. Under this definition, residence is something a person establishes, not something a person chooses. While the definition includes the person’s "intent to return" to a residence, it makes it clear that the residence must in fact exist, and the person must have established it as a fixed and principal home.
Public Notice of Warrant
(Changes each election, insert or scan each time. Up to 15 pages 8.5x11)