BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – The city of Bangor issued a voter warning this week regarding illegal absentee voting activities.

City officials say they know of at least one person knocking on doors and offering to return absentee ballots. In a Facebook post, they say it’s illegal and the incident has been reported to the Secretary of State’s Office.

The city warns voters that giving their ballot to a foreigner may result in their vote not being cast and/or counted.

Instead, it says only you, a family member or a previously designated third party should return your ballot.

Ballots may be dropped off at the City Hall box located behind the building at 262 Harlow Street, the clerk’s office during business hours, or mailed via the US Postal Service.

Earlier this week, the Bangor City Clerk explained the process they undertake to verify that all returned ballots belong to the registered voter.

“If they pick up their ballot from the office or we send it to them, we’ll usually have an application that has a signature on it. If it’s done electronically, we have their voter registration card on it. So we can match the signature on the envelope when it comes back with either that application or their voter registration card,” said Bangor City Clerk Lisa Goodwin.

Election officials say if there is a problem with a voter’s envelope, they will be contacted by City Hall within 24 hours and given a chance to correct the problem.

If you have returned your absentee ballot, you can now check its status via Secretary of State website.

Copyright 2024 WABI. All rights reserved.