PORTLAND — Voters can begin casting ballots Thursday in this year’s election.

Absentee ballots will be available beginning Thursday at 9 a.m. Ballots can be requested by phone (874-8610), fax (874-8612) or by going to the Absentee Ballot Request Service at the www.maine.gov website.

Voters will get both the state ballot, with referendum questions, and the local ballot, which includes the ranked-choice ballot for the Portland mayoral race.

Absentee ballots that are sent back by mail need to be received by the City Clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 8, to be counted.