The cold weather got to you? Lost the old pep? 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 already voted and you don’t want to be left out.

Voting is simple but important. If you’re registered, you just need to show up at your local polling place. Your town office can tell you where that is if you have doubts. It couldn’t hurt to bring identification, though you shouldn’t need it. Not registered? Bring identification and head for town hall – you may be able to vote there as well. Even if there is a problem with your registration, you can still vote under Maine’s challenged ballot law, so there’s no reason to leave a polling place without having your say.

Don’t know who the candidates are or what the two statewide ballot questions mean? Go to the secretary of state’s Web page (www.maine.gov/sos/) or the state’s eDemocracy Web site (www.maine.gov/portal/government/ edemocracy/) for answers.

Certainly, there’s enough at stake to lift you from the torpor of endless campaign commercials and lengthy arguments over minuscule issues. The proposed spending cap and gubernatorial race couldn’t have escaped your notice. Don’t simply burden your friends with your opinion – make it official at your local polling place. Haven’t decided which way to go on the bear-baiting question? It’s not too late to work up an opinion.

If past years are any indication, growing numbers of your friends and neighbors already have. Last year, nearly a quarter of votes were cast by absentee ballots. In 2002, 12 percent did. Until 2000 a voter had to give a reason for wanting an absentee ballot. Now you don’t and many people are simply using them to avoid the crowds by voting early. Some communities, including Bangor, have set up polling places where voters could use absentee ballots to vote before today.

The secretary of state predicts between 45 percent and 55 percent of registered voters will cast ballots this year, on par with participation in past gubernatorial elections.

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, no matter what the problem. (If, by the way, you make a mistake on a ballot, you can ask for another.)

Voting. What would Election Day be without it?