Go forth and vote

Given the tightness of the presidential race, the number of ballot questions and the numerous questions of local concern, no potential voter should need added incentive to get to the polls. But Gov. Angus King has reminded Maine voters of their usual high turnout by joining with Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, governor of another high-turnout state, to challenge the rest of the nation to compete for the turnout title.

It would have been better if there were a more tangible consequence for the two governors should their states fail to deliver. For instance, Gov. King could be made to shave his head like his bald-pated colleague from Minnesota, and Gov. Ventura, if his state fell short, might be forced to become a lawyer, like Gov. King. But bragging rights will have to suffice. That and upholding one of the core values of this nation are all that’s at stake.

Maine not only has the close presidential race to consider, but, on a national level, a Senate matchup between incumbent Olympia Snowe and challenger Mark Lawrence, congressional races that in the 1st District pits Rep. Tom Allen against Jane Amero and, in the 2nd, Rep. John Baldacci against Dick Campbell. It has six referendum questions that ask voters to decide on, in order of their appearance, physician-assisted suicide, forestry regulation, gambling machines, property taxes, voting rights and civil rights. Towns and cities have council races, school boards to fill, questions on zoning and charter changes; Bangor has a question over a proposed methadone facility.

As important as all of these are, however, there is a further reason for voters going to the polls. Congress, in record-setting gridlock that could last another two weeks, knows that low turnout indicates voters are willing to let politicians get away with a lot, that people generally do not care if a major spending bill is held up for months as a hundred petty projects are tacked on by pork-seeking members of Congress. A high voter turnout shows something else entirely – not only do voters care about the issues, but they are willing to do something about them, like vote incumbents out of office if they do not attend to governing.

Voter turnout tells politicians how serious the electorate is about the pressing issues of the day. Maine’s turnout traditionally has been good only relative to other states, which often are laggardly. Today, voters can make Maine’s turnout look good by any measure, or they can think about how Gov. King would look without hair.