State of Maine Referendum Election and Town Election (Special Town Meeting)

Last day to request an absentee ballot or to vote by absentee ballot in the presence of the clerk is Thursday, October 31.

All absentee ballots must be received by close of polls, 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 4.

Track your absentee ballot.

Election Materials 

(links will be added as materials become available)

• Secretary of State's Upcoming Elections page 
• Citizen's Guide to the State Referendum Election
• Notice of State Election
• Notice of Intent to Process Absentee Ballots Prior to Election Day
  
• Sample Ballots: 
  • State Referendum Election Ballot
  • Special Town Meeting Ballot
• Special Town Meeting Warrant
• Notice of Public Hearing October 21 on Town Meeting Ballot Articles

State ballot questions:

QUESTION 1: Citizen Initiative

Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?

QUESTION 2: Citizen Initiative

Do you want to allow courts to temporarily prohibit a person from having dangerous weapons if law enforcement, family, or household members show that the person poses a significant danger of causing physical injury to themselves or others?

Town ballot questions:

• Article 2 - LAND USE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – Two-Family Definition - Shall an ordinance, dated June 4, 2025, and entitled “An amendment to the definition of Two-Family Dwelling” be enacted?

The amendment would clarify that the use known as two-family dwelling is intended to refer not to separate, detached single-family buildings on the same lot but to structures that contain two separate living units for residential use such as a duplex. Two-Family Definition full text. 

• Article 3 - LAND USE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – Capacity Letters - Shall an ordinance, dated June 4, 2025, and entitled “An amendment to modify the capacity letter requirement for site plan review” be enacted?

The purpose of this change is to ensure Town Staff are signing capacity statements based on final plans supplied by an applicant. These changes would no longer require the capacity letters at completeness review, rather requiring them as part of the compliance review. Capacity Letters full text.

• Article 4 - LAND USE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - Site Plan and Subdivision Plan Review – Shall an ordinance, dated June 4, 2025, and entitled “An amendment to site plan and subdivision plan review” be enacted?

The amendment would integrate regulations from Article V Site Plan Review and from Article VI Subdivision Review into a single, revised Article V. It would:

• Clarify that the use of the term site plan refers to four types of plans: major site plans, major subdivision plans, minor site plans, and minor subdivision plans, and that the process and standards for major site plans apply to all plans unless specifically stated otherwise. 
• Reorder the sections to better align with the typical progression of applications from submission to approval. 
• Make sketch planreview an elective step for the applicants for major subdivision plans and planned unit developments, as well as for major site plans. Currently, sketch plan is a required step for major subdivision plans and planned unit developments. This amendment would also make sketch plan review an option for the applicants for major site plans which is not an option in the current ordinance.
• Allow the Planning Board and the Planning Director to decide whether a Planning Board site visit is necessary, on a case-by-case basis, for major subdivision plans and planned unit developments, as well as for major site plans. Currently, a site visit is required for major subdivision plans and planned unit developments. This amendment would also make a site visit an option for major site plans which is not an option in the current ordinance.
• Allow the Planning Board and the Planning Director to decide whether the applicant should hold a neighborhood meeting, on a case-by-case basis, for major subdivision plans and planned unit developments, as well as for major site plans. Currently, a neighborhood meeting is required for planned unit developments but an option to the Planning Board for major subdivision plans. This amendment would also make a neighborhood meeting an option for major site plans which is not an option in the current ordinance. 
• Standardize the calculation and application of timeframes across various review processes. This includes making sure the timeframes for major subdivision plans meet the State Subdivision Law requirements. It would also change the application submission deadlines to match the Planning Board’s meeting schedule. These changes would create more realistic timeframes for the overall processing of applications. 
• Change the time allowed for approval of minor site plans. Currently, the Planning Director has 15 business days to approve minor site plans. The change would increase the approval time to 30 calendar days. This new timeframe would match the time allowed for approving building permits. 

Site Plan and Subdivision Plan Review full text.

• Article 5 - LAND USE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – Shoreland Zoning – Shall an ordinance, dated June 4, 2025, and entitled “An amendment to comply with the Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act (MSZA)” be enacted? 

The amendment would include the following changes:

• These changes will bring the Land Use Ordinance into compliance with the Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act (MSZA) for Maine.
• The change in Section 22 (f & g) clarifies the use of RVs in the shoreland zone where previous language was vague.

Shoreland Zoning full text.

More Information

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