Did the weekend snow get you down? Can’t get motivated? Try voting! There’s no better way to reinvigorate the democratic republic in you than to cast a vote for a worthy candidate or against one who didn’t impress. Want another reason? Your neighbor, or maybe even your spouse, may have voted already, and you don’t want to be left out.
Voting is simple but important. If you are registered, you just need to show up at your local polling place. Don’t know where it is? Visit http://bit.ly/mainepoll and type in your home address, and you’ll find out. It wouldn’t hurt to bring identification, though you shouldn’t need it.
Not registered? Bring identification — a photo ID works, but so does a piece of mail that proves you live where you say you live — and head to the polls. Maine is one of 10 states that allow you to register on Election Day. Even if there is a problem with your registration, you still can vote under Maine’s challenged ballot law, so there’s no reason to leave a polling place without having your say.
At the top of the ballot is your chance to choose the state’s next governor, a tight race between incumbent Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Mike Michaud, a Democrat who has represented Maine’s 2nd Congressional District for 12 years. Independent Eliot Cutler remains on the ballot, although he scaled back his campaign last week. A referendum question asks whether the recreational baiting, hounding and trapping of bears should be banned. Six bond questions seek money for medical research, water quality improvements and support for marine industries among other endeavors.
You should also help choose Maine’s congressional representatives as well as who will represent you in Augusta. Local referendum questions and city council, sheriff, district attorney and probate judge races are also on many ballots.
Don’t know who the candidates for Congress are? Don’t know whether you want to support the bond issues? Visit the s ecretary of state’s website or check out the ballot feature at the top of bangordailynews.com for answers.
Certainly, there’s enough at stake to lift you from the torpor induced by endless campaign commercials and lengthy arguments over issues. The heated campaign for governor couldn’t have escaped your notice. Don’t simply burden your friends with your opinion — make it official at your polling place. Haven’t decided which way to go on the bear baiting question or which city council candidate to favor? It’s not too late to work up an opinion.
Participation is crucial in this election. The Maine Senate could switch control from the Democrats to the Republicans with several contentious state Senate races. With a close contest for governor and the 2nd Congressional District seat, the races could be decided by a small number of votes. Make sure yours is among them.
Many of your friends and neighbors likely already have had their say; the trend of more people voting absentee continues. More than 85,000 ballots already have been cast, according to the secretary of state’s office.
It may be confusing to first-time voters, but there are only two things to remember: Votes are counted carefully in Maine, so if you cast a ballot, it will matter; and there’s no reason to leave a polling place without voting — whether you’re registered to vote as you read this or not — no matter what the problem. By the way, if you make a mistake on a ballot, you can ask for another.
Voting. What would Election Day be without it?