In-person absentee voting for the June 11 statewide primary begins in Portland on Tuesday, with other cities and towns expected to make ballots available in the coming days.
The primary will set the stage for the November elections by narrowing the field of candidates for federal and state offices. In many cities and towns, voters in June will also be asked whether they approve of the local school budget.
And just like in the March presidential primary, unenrolled voters can choose whether to vote in the Democratic or Republican primaries without having to enroll as a party member.
Voters who live in the 1st Congressional District and vote in the GOP primary will choose between Andrew Piantidosi of Cape Elizabeth or Ronald Russell of Kennebunkport for their nominee to challenge Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of North Haven.
In the 2nd Congressional District, state representatives Mike Soboleski of Phillips and Austin Theriault of Fort Kent will face off in the GOP primary. The winner will take on incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden of Lewiston in November.
Across the state there are five Maine Senate primaries and 11 House primaries. All 186 legislative seats will be on the Nov. 5 ballot.
In Portland, in-person absentee voting will be open starting Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the State of Maine Room on the 2nd floor of city hall.
Statewide, the last day to vote in-person absentee is June 6 unless you have a special circumstance. Election Day is June 11.