Primary Elections In Brunswick, Maine

Voters in Brunswick, Maine, can find their designated voting place by entering their home address into the Maine Voter Information Lookup Service. In the 2024 State Primary Election, held on June 11, voters in Brunswick cast their ballots at Brunswick Junior High School.

Voting places in Brunswick, Maine

Voters in Brunswick, Maine, can find their designated voting place by using the State of Maine Voter Information Lookup Service. This service provides election-related information based on the user's home address, including the location of their voting place, the candidates that will appear on their ballot, and contact information for their elected officials. Voting place locations can be updated by municipalities up to ten days before the election, so voters are advised to check the service before election day for the final voting place locations.

The Town of Brunswick's website also provides information on upcoming elections, absentee voting, and voter registration. For the June 11, 2024, State Primary, Brunswick residents could vote in person at the Town Clerk's Office and the Council Chambers during regular Town Hall hours. Absentee ballots could be requested starting from March 17, 2024, up until June 6, 2024, the Thursday before the election.

In addition to the State Primary, Brunswick residents also voted on the Municipal School Budget Validation and a Region 10 Question on June 11, 2024. The Town of Brunswick's website provided sample ballots for both of these votes.

For the 2024 elections, Maine introduced semi-open primaries, allowing unenrolled voters to participate and select a party ballot at the polls. Previously, closed primaries required voters to enroll in a political party to vote.

Voter registration in Brunswick, Maine

The State of Maine also provides an online platform for voter registration, accessible to all residents of the state. This platform offers a convenient alternative to in-person registration at the Town Clerk's Office.

To register to vote in Brunswick, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements set by the state of Maine. These requirements include factors such as age, residency, and citizenship status. It is essential to ensure that you meet these criteria before attempting to register.

Once registered, voters in Brunswick can find their designated voting place, candidates on their ballot, and contact information for their elected officials through the Maine Voter Information Lookup Service. This service provides election-related information based on an individual's home address. It is important to note that voting place locations can change, so checking the final location before election day is advised.

Additionally, the Town of Brunswick offers absentee voting for those who are unable to vote in person. Absentee ballots can be requested up to a certain deadline before the election and are typically available at the Town Clerk's Office and, during specific periods, in the Council Chambers during regular Town Hall hours.

For those interested in running for office in Brunswick, nomination papers for the School Board and Town Council are available in late July each year and must be submitted by early September. It is important to review the specific rules and deadlines for campaign financing, which can be found on the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices website.

Absentee ballots in Brunswick, Maine

Absentee ballots are available to all registered voters in Brunswick, Maine, and can be requested up to 90 days before an election. Absentee voting allows you to cast a ballot without going to a voting place on Election Day. You don't need to have a specific reason or be unable to vote in person to receive an absentee ballot.

The next election in Brunswick, Maine, is on June 11, 2024, and absentee ballots will be available from May 17, 2024. The last day to request an absentee ballot without special circumstances is Thursday, June 6, 2024. Absentee ballots can be requested by calling the Clerk's Office at 207-725-6658, mailing or delivering an Absentee Application to the Town Clerk, faxing it to 207-725-6663, or requesting it online through the Secretary of State's website.

Absentee ballots can be returned by mail to the Town Clerk's office or dropped off in person at the Ballot Drop Off Box at Town Hall (available 24 hours a day) or during regular business hours. To be counted, voted absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

For the June 11, 2024, election, voters enrolled in the Democratic, Green Independent, and Republican parties may only participate in that party's primary unless they change their party enrollment before Friday, May 24, 2024. Voters not enrolled in any political party may choose to participate in one of the above parties' primaries or vote only on the municipal ballots.

Beginning February 1, 2024, voters aged 65 or older, or those who self-identify as having a disability, may apply for ongoing absentee voter status and will automatically receive an absentee ballot for each statewide and municipal election. Accessible absentee ballots are also available for voters with disabilities.

For Brunswick residents living outside of the United States or planning to move before the next election, registration with the State of Maine Secretary of State's Office (SOS) is required to receive a UOCAVA Absentee Ballot.

Municipal ballots in Brunswick, Maine

In Brunswick, Maine, the next election is scheduled for June 11, 2024. This will include a State Primary, a Municipal School Budget Validation, and a Region 10 Question. All registered voters are eligible to vote on the two municipal ballots.

Municipal ballots can be cast in person or by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots can be requested by calling the Clerk's Office or by completing an Absentee Application and mailing, faxing, or delivering it to the Town Clerk. Absentee ballots can also be requested online, but only for State and Federal Elections. For Municipal Elections, voters must contact the Clerk's Office. Absentee ballots are available 30 days before an election, and requests can be made up to 90 days in advance. The last day to request an absentee ballot without special circumstances is the Thursday before the election. Absentee ballots can be returned by mail or dropped off at the Ballot Drop Box at Town Hall.

Voters enrolled in the Democratic, Green Independent, or Republican parties may only participate in their party's primary unless they change their party enrollment before the deadline. Voters not enrolled in any political party may choose to participate in one of the above parties' primaries or vote only on the municipal ballots. Voters enrolled in the Libertarian or No Labels parties are only eligible to vote on the municipal ballots unless they change their party enrollment. Voters must remain in a party for three months before changing their enrollment.

Nomination papers for the Brunswick School Board and Town Council are available in late July of each year and must be submitted to the Town Clerk's office by early September. Nominating petitions must be filed with the Town Clerk no more than 100 days and no less than 60 days before the election date. Candidates must also provide written consent to accept the nomination, agreeing not to withdraw, and to qualify if elected.

For specific information on voting places, voters can use the Maine Voter Information Lookup Service to find their designated voting location based on their home address.

Party enrollment options in Brunswick, Maine

In Brunswick, Maine, the process of enrolling in a political party is known as "registration". This process allows voters to officially sign up to participate in a specific party's primary elections. While enrollment in a political party is optional, it is a necessary step for those who wish to influence the decisions and direction of their preferred political party.

In the context of Brunswick, Maine, the primary elections are held within the framework of the state's political landscape. The state has a history of political party dominance, with the Republican Party holding a strong grip on power for nearly a century, from 1857 to 1954. During this period, 31 Republican governors served, compared to just four Democrats. However, starting in the 1950s and 1960s, the political landscape began to shift, with a decline in Republican enrollment and a rise in the number of Democrats and unenrolled voters.

For the upcoming election on June 11, 2024, in Brunswick, Maine, the participating parties in the State Primary are the Democratic Party, the Green Independent Party, and the Republican Party. Voters enrolled in these parties are restricted to participating only in their respective party's primary elections. However, voters who are not affiliated with any political party, often referred to as "unenrolled" voters, have the option to choose which party's primary they wish to participate in or to vote only in the municipal elections.

It is important to note that voters in Brunswick, Maine, have the flexibility to change their party enrollment. However, there is a requirement to remain enrolled in a party for at least three months before making any changes. This provision ensures a level of stability and commitment within the parties. For voters enrolled in the Libertarian or No Labels parties, they will only be eligible to vote in the municipal elections unless they switch their enrollment to one of the participating parties in the State Primary.

Frequently asked questions