Suzanne Blackburn votes in the State of Maine room at Portland City Hall on Monday. Early voting started on Monday in communities across the state. Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer

Voting got off to a brisk start Monday morning at Portland City Hall as in-person absentee voting began in the city and other communities around Maine.

Several people entering and exiting the polls said that in addition to the convenience of casting their ballots early, they were motivated to vote as soon as possible in the presidential election featuring Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

“I’m just excited about the election,” said 73-year-old Suzanne Blackburn after casting her ballot. “I have a certain level of anxiety so I wanted to get in here and vote and get my part done.”

Blackburn, a Democrat who said she’s not opposed to voting across party lines, voted for Harris. “Her values align with my values, especially regarding the right to choose my own health care and for future generations to do so,” Blackburn said. “I think she’s really earnest. Not everything aligns with what I believe or feel or want, but it’s a whole lot better than the other choice.”

Monday was the first day of in-person absentee voting across Maine. Municipalities are required by law to start offering in-person absentee voting at least 30 days before Election Day, which falls on Nov. 5 this year. Towns and cities have also begun to send ballots out by mail to voters who have requested them.

Voting appeared to be off to a smooth start in most towns and cities, although Scarborough reported a problem with the printing of town ballots that delayed the start of municipal voting in that community. Residents were able to cast ballots Monday in statewide races and are expected to be able to get town ballots later this week.

THOUSANDS REQUEST ABSENTEE BALLOTS

Increased numbers of absentee ballot requests and new voter registrations this year indicate high enthusiasm for the upcoming election. As of Friday, more than 106,800 absentee ballots had been requested statewide. In addition, more than 10,000 new voter registrations were filed in September, according to data from the secretary of state’s office.

Since Aug. 1, Portland has processed more than 3,500 new voter registrations and changes to registrations, including address, name and party enrollment changes.

Bill and Patty Zimmerman look over sample ballots at Portland City Hall before voting Monday. Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer

The rollout of a new online voter registration system is likely boosting registration activity.

“This is the first year with the online voter registration system and it is getting utilized very frequently,” City Clerk Ashley Rand said in an email. Rand said robust use of the new online system could mean fewer voter registrations on Election Day than in past elections.

There are about 955,300 active registered voters statewide. Portland has 52,199 active registered voters.

Portland has received 8,646 requests for mail-in absentee ballot so far this year, compared to 6,466 at the same time leading up to the 2022 gubernatorial election.

PRINTING ISSUE CAUSES SCARBOROUGH DELAY

The town of Scarborough reported a problem over the weekend with its municipal ballots that disrupted the start of early voting in that community. Town Manager Tom Hall said the ballots were printed from an out-of-date proof and did not list candidates in alphabetical order as required.

Hall said Scarborough residents could vote in state elections starting Monday and cast their ballot on town races at a later date, though many chose to come back to vote on both. He said the town expects to receive its corrected ballots as soon as Wednesday.

About 81 people had cast state ballots in Scarborough by midafternoon Monday, while at least 50 others chose to come back to vote at a later date. He said Monday’s rainy weather, coupled with the printing error, likely limited the turnout on day one.

Joe Falcone, left, and Ileen DaPonte cast their ballots in the State of Maine room at Portland City Hall on Monday. Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer

In Portland, 115 voters cast ballots Monday, according to the city clerk’s office. That compares to 80 people who cast ballots on the first day of in-person voting in the gubernatorial election two years ago.

In Berwick, Town Clerk Patricia Murray said more than 50 people had either voted absentee in-person or requested a ballot by 3 p.m. Monday.

“It’s really good,” Murray said of the turnout. “I just want people to vote. If they can’t make it on Election Day, (absentee voting) is a great option for them.”

She said the presidential race has “definitely” been a big draw for voters.

PORTLAND VOTERS CAST BALLOTS

In Portland, a Democratic stronghold, those casting ballots Monday morning expressed a sense of urgency around the presidential election.

Blackburn said she worries about the future of the country if Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, are elected. She just returned from a trip to Norway and said she spent time talking to people there about the election. “The world is watching and other leaders are following,” Blackburn said. “This isn’t just a U.S. issue.”

Patty and Bill Zimmerman also cast their ballots for Harris on Monday.

“She has common sense,” said Patty Zimmerman, 74. “She doesn’t lie. She’s smart. And it’s time we elect a woman.”

Joe Falcone casts his ballot in the State of Maine room at Portland City Hall on Monday. Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer

Bill Zimmerman said he believes Harris “represents an opportunity for Democrats and Republicans who care about democracy to join together.”

“I don’t normally have such a strong negative feeling (about the other side), but I think the alternative in this election is a real threat to the stability of our country,” he said.

Joe Falcone, an independent, voted for Harris too. He cast his ballot Monday while stopping by City Hall to register a friend’s car.

“I hate Trump,” Falcone, 62, said when asked what is motivating him to vote.

“I just think after Jan. 6, after that whole thing. … He tried to basically steal the election,” Falcone said, referring to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

In addition to the presidential election, voters in Maine this year will decide races for a seat in the U.S. Senate and both seats in the House of Representatives, all seats in the state Legislature, five state referendum questions, and local elections and referendum questions.

“I voted” stickers in the State of Maine room at Portland City Hall on Monday. Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer

Portland voters will cast ballots in three City Council and three school board races. There also are city referendums that would amend the list of information required to register short-term rental units and amend the city’s hazard pay policy to take effect only when the city, and not the state, declares a state of emergency.

Each town and city sets its own hours for in-person absentee voting. Voters do not need a reason to vote early or via mail-in ballots in Maine. No-excuse absentee voting runs through Oct. 31, though voters may still request absentee ballots after that date in special circumstances, such as an unexpected hospitalization.

There is no deadline for registering in person at a city or town hall or at polling places, but online voter registrations must be completed by Oct. 15, and registrations done by mail must also be received by the municipal clerk by that day.