Absentee voting in Maine is getting underway, with the state's four Electoral College votes up for grabs and a number of other national, statewide and local races on the ballot.Maine is one of two states in the U.

In-person absentee voting Monday got off to a robust start in several communities, with some Portland voters saying they were eager to cast a ballot in the presidential election.

As of Monday, voters in Maine can start casting ballots for the Nov. 5 election. In-person absentee voting began Oct. 7 and people have started sending in absentee ballots as well.All absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 pm.

The State House is the people’s house,” Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told a room filled with high school and college students this weekend at the Maine Students Vote annual Youth Voting Summit at Colby College in Waterville.

All communities are required to offer In-person absentee voting starting Monday through Oct. 31. Municipalities are also starting to mail absentee ballots to people who have requested them.

Under Maine law, you do not need a reason to vote early or absentee. Any absentee voter can vote in-person when available or request ballots online, through the mail, or by phone. Residents can check the status of their absentee ballot request by using the secretary of state’s new tracking system.

The number of races where Democrats and Republicans did not face off rose significantly in the pandemic election of 2020, and has stayed at almost the same level since.

It is just 29 days out until November 5. In Maine, in-person early absentee voting begins 30 days before Election Day.

Democratic Congressman Jared Golden and his Republican challenger, Austin Theriault, will square off in their first debate Thursday night.

Republican Austin Theriault is hoping to unseat Democratic incumbent Jared Golden in the November election to represent Maine in Washington, D.C.

The number of races where Democrats and Republicans did not face off rose significantly in the pandemic election of 2020, and has stayed at almost the same level.

The race in Maine’s Second District is one of the more hotly contested races this cycle. It’s expected to be close and could ultimately tip the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. The incumbent, Democrat Jared Golden, has held the seat for six years.