AUGUSTA – Maine’s chief election official said he hopes a renewed sense of patriotism in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will translate into a heavy voter turnout Tuesday.

Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky acknowledged that Maine ballots include no major national or state races. And this is only the seventh time in 30 years Maine voters won’t see an initiated referendum question on the November ballot.

The ballot will include only six bond issues, totaling nearly $147 million, for housing, biomedical research and development, transportation, school renovations, the state university and environmental projects.

In addition, a scattering of local elections and public questions – notably the nonbinding universal health care question in Portland – may entice voters to the polls on Election Day.

While Maine’s ballot is unusual this year, so are the conditions under which the election will be held; it is the first since the war on terrorism began.

“There is a renewed sense of patriotism and commitment since September 11, and unity the likes of which most Maine people have never seen,” said Gwadosky. “Now, we’re all living in a period of uncertainty.”

While he declined to project a turnout for Tuesday, Gwadosky said post-presidential year elections like this one draw about 29 percent of the voting age population.

Turnouts for major elections tend to be much better, with Maine either leading the nation or among the leaders. In last year’s presidential election, 67 percent of Maine’s eligible voters cast ballots.

“The 2000 presidential election and the discussions regarding election reform have raised voters’ awareness of the voting process,” Gwadosky said in a reference to ballot disputes and cases of lost voting rights that marred the election.

In response, his office developed a poster to be displayed at all polling places outlining voters’ rights, including the right to register on Election Day.

The rainy weather predicted for northern Maine on Tuesday wasn’t doing much to bolster hopes of a good turnout, but the National Weather Service forecast looked better farther south in the state. In York County, partly sunny and warmer temperatures were predicted.

Some politicians with an eye on 2002 races were planning to make the most of this Election Day by getting out and meeting with voters.

Independent gubernatorial candidate David Flanagan planned a cross-state, dawn-to-night series of campaign stops in Fairfield, Caribou, Orono, Waterville, Brunswick and Portland. A Republican seeking the gubernatorial nomination, Peter Cianchette, said he planned to visit polls in his hometown of South Portland.

Gwadosky, who also travels to polls across the state to encourage turnout, sought to underscore the importance of the bond issues as an enticement to voters, calling them “pretty significant” public policy issues.

Gov. Angus King, who is in Mexico on a trade mission, has encouraged voters to approve all of the bond issues, saying they could help the sagging economy, are a good deal because of low interest rates, and would draw well over their face value in matching money and grants.

Question 1 seeks $12 million total to renovate and replace lower-cost apartments and homes, provide housing for the homeless, buy land for affordable-housing projects, and domestic violence shelters.

The second proposal calls for $5 million in borrowing for biomedical infrastructure and equipment and marine research infrastructure and equipment.

The largest bond issue, $61 million, is for an array of transportation projects from highways and ferries to airports, trails and rail improvements. It would draw $120 million in federal matching funds alone.

Question 4 seeks $15 million to capitalize the state’s revolving fund that helps school districts renovate and repair buildings to correct health, safety and compliance deficiencies.

The fifth bond proposal calls for $17 million to build sewers and septic system repairs, clean up landfills and tire dumps, and upgrade agricultural pollution control facilities.

The final proposal seeks $36.7 million for improvements in the state university and technical college systems and Maine Maritime Academy.