AUGUSTA — Early voting is getting under way in Maine — for those in uniform.

Maine election officials say that they’re mailing absentee ballots for military service members and civilians living outside the country. There were 300 requests on file, and those ballots were due to be sent Saturday.

Absentee ballots will be available for request from everyone else 30 days before the election.

Absentee ballots are Maine’s version of early voting. They can be requested up until Thursday before the election for most voters. Even though they’re cast early, the votes aren’t counted until the polls close on Election Day.