A short survey of several municipal clerks across the Midcoast in Knox and Waldo counties indicates that early voting is popular this election cycle with a robust number of citizens either requesting absentee ballots to take with them and vote according to their own schedule, or voting in person at town offices.

It was not an unanticipated trend, but one week before the official Nov. 3 voting day, municipal offices have been busy accommodating voters. 

According to NBC News, 30,807,070 mail-in and early in-person votes have been cast nationwide as of Oct. 26.

In Maine, 197,145 voters have cast ballots, reported NBC News. That represents 19 percent of the state's registered 1.04 million voters.

Likewise and more locally, as of Oct. 26:

Rockland recorded 1,387 requested absentee ballots, of which 1,121 of them have been returned and accepted. As of Jan. 9, 2026, there were 5,201 registered and enrolled voters in Rockland.

Union has had 413 absentee ballot requests. Of those, 307 voters have returned their absentee ballots, a number that also includes voting in person at the town office. As of Jan. 9, 2026, there were 1,973 registered and enrolled voters in Union.

Rockport has processed 1,124 requests for absentee ballots, and 912 have been returned. Of those, 486 were cast by citizens voting, "here in the office," said Town Clerk Liz Lowe.

As of Jan. 9, 2026, there were 3,164 registered and enrolled voters in Rockport.

And Camden has recorded 1,897 absentee ballot requests with 1,603 of them returned. Of those, 854 citizens voted at the town office in the Clerk's presence. As of Jan. 9, 2026, there were 4,663 registered and enrolled voters in Camden.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657