10/16/2026
As we wrapped up the week in the office, I wanted to share the numbers for early voting again and some more information based on questions we've been asked.
1. We check the ballot drop box on a regular basis - at least two people check it each time and a log sheet is signed with the date/time and the number of ballots taken out.
2. Ballots we receive back before election day are tracked as received and the Clerk verifies the signature on each envelope before accepting the ballot. If there are any questions, the Clerk will call the voter to address any concerns. Once everything is tracked, it's placed in a tamper-proof box and locked up until delivered to the election clerks on November 3rd to process. These boxes are opened to add new ballots each day ballots are received, but are locked in the vault each night.
3. "There's no way that many people have already voted or need to vote early and can't just come on election day. There must be fraud and you're handing out ballots to just anyone."
Unfortunately, there will always be naysayers with early voting. In this office, we take ALL voting seriously. I have rejected applications for ballots due to individuals not being registered to vote. I've not accepted returned ballots due to signatures that did not match. There are rules in place for a reason!
In an ideal world, we would see a 100% participation rate for elections. In Sabattus, with nearly 3,300 voters and the polls being open for 12 hours (or 720 minutes), we would have to see 4.58 people casting their ballot every single minute to reach 100%. While I love the thought of seeing that, I don't see it as realistic. This is why we have measures in place to ensure everyone has a chance to vote in their own time whether it's on election day or in the 30 day window leading up to it!
Finally, as of 8:00PM, 518 ballots have been issued to Sabattus voters - equal to a 15.7% participation rate. 57% of those ballots have been mailed to voters, 18% have voted in the presented of a clerk, and the remaining 25% have been issued to the voter/immediate family/3rd person. I've included the updated graphs as well as a picture of the lock boxes your returned ballots go into until election day!
Remember, you can request a ballot until October 29th. If you want one mailed to you, and you're already registered to vote, you can request one online and I'll process it Monday morning: https://absenteeballotrequest.sos.maine.gov/
Not registered to vote? Come see us!
