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Election Day Ahead, but Many Mainers Have Already Cast Ballots

AUGUSTA, Maine - Election Day is still a week and a half away, but many Mainers have already cast their votes. Absentee balloting has been open since Oct. 5 - earlier for voters living overseas.

Maine's "no excuse" absentee balloting has been in place since 1999. Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap says the state's voting policies have a very positive impact on turnout.

"Because we have things like Election Day registration and no-reason absentee balloting, we have higher turnout than most other states," Dunlap says. "Typically, Maine, Minnesota and Oregon are in the top three in terms of voter turnout."

Dunlap says 30 to 35 percent of voter turnout is through absentee balloting. Voters can request absentee ballots in person with their local town office or city clerk, or online through the Secretary of State's office, through Oct. 30.

Absentee ballots must be received by a voter's municipality by 8 p.m. on Election Day - that's Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Learn how to request an absentee ballot.

Nora is originally from the Boston area but has lived in Chicago, Michigan, New York City and at the northern tip of New York state. Nora began working in public radio at Michigan Radio in Ann Arbor and has been an on-air host, a reporter, a digital editor, a producer, and, when they let her, played records.