Get out the vote

The experts are calling this election the stealth primary. Pundits, the primary about nothing. The potential turnout is so low, Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky isn’t even taking a stab at a projection.

The stage is set, then, for the contrarians who inhabit this state to prove the experts wrong, to rebuke the pundits, to help Mr. Gwadosky out of his deep funk. There are plenty of good reasons to take the time to vote, besides it just being the right thing to do.

For the two major parties, the gubernatorial primary tops the ticket. Republicans have three well-known, estimable candidates in former Education Commissioner Leo Martin, former U.S. Rep. James Longley Jr. and state Rep. Henry Joy. The Democratic contenders aren’t big political names, but businessman Joe Ricci and attorney Tom Connolly have campaigned hard, state Rep. William Lemke has mounted a furious write-in effort. If anyone is to mount a serious challenge to popular Gov. Angus King, a strong primary turnout is needed to get that uphill journey moving.

All of these gubernatorial aspirants have been hindered by difficulty in raising money. Maine voters have the opportunity today to send the message that they can sort out the candidates, inform themselves of the issues and make intelligent choices without benefit of ad campaigns. That in itself is worth a trip to the local polling place.

Republicans in the 1st Congressional District also have a nominee to choose. Businessman Ross Connelly and state Rep. David Ott have campaigned the old-fashioned way, out on the streets, shaking hands, introducing themselves to the public. One will face the incumbent Democrat, Rep. Tom Allen, in November. As in the gubernatorial side, the primary turnout will set the tone for the entire campaign.

Then there are at least a dozen contested primary races for the state Legislature. There are candidates for county offices, for municipal boards. There are local ordinances and school budgets to pass or reject. Nothing glamorous here, just the nuts and bolts of running a society.

And there are three referendum questions on bond issues for vocational education, drinking water protection and transportation. In addition to routine, ongoing upgrades, the transportation bond has two components that will have great significance for Maine’s economic future — the development of a modern cargo terminal at Mack Point in Searsport and a feasibility study on an east-west highway. That single item, Question 1 on the ballot, warrants the modest exertion of voting.

So vote today. Set the know-it-alls straight. Tell the spin doctors Mainers don’t need slick advertising to form opinions. Take a hand in local affairs and in this state’s future. You’ll feel better for it and so will Dan Gwadosky.