Mainers have heard from the candidates. Starting with the 21 people who announced last year that they were interested in running for governor, through the seven-way Republican and five-way Democratic primaries in June, leading to two major-party nominees and three independents who are on today’s ballot.

Then there are the men and women who are running for the 151 seats in the Maine House of Representatives and 35 in the state Senate. That doesn’t begin to take in all the candidates for local office like selectman, city councilor or county commissioner.

Additional Photos

Residents take advantage of early voting at South Portland City Hall. Today is Election Day. Go vote. John Patriquin /Staff Photographer

Then there were the questions both statewide and local, and we’ve heard from both sides on a proposed casino in Oxford County, an elected mayor for Portland and a new charter for Cumberland County, among many others.

We have had a record number of debates for the gubernatorial candidates, and the contestants for the state’s two congressional seats have also had the opportunity to fight it out before an audience.

Our favorite shows have been interrupted by political advertising, our mailboxes have been packed, sight lines at intersections have been obscured and little palm cards have been stuck in the cracks of our doors, reminding us of the candidate who came by when we were out.

We’ve heard from the experts who have pored over polling numbers telling us what 400 likely voters, called over land lines one evening last week, indicate about the mood of the electorate. Statisticians and political scientists have told us how this year is like – or not like – 1994 or 1974 or other years from our recent and distant past.

Who we haven’t heard from is you – the voter. At the end of this long campaign, we are taking a pause to wait and hear what you think.

It’s a cliche to call a political race the most important in a generation, in a century or even of all time. But this election is certainly important and after all the talk is over, the most important voice, that of the voter, is still to be heard.

Projections from the Secretary of State’s Office predict about 50 percent turnout, which is not bad when compared with the rest of the nation in a midterm election, but a far cry from Maine’s turnout in presidential years.

This election, which will name a new governor and will have an impact on which party will control Congress, could be just as important as a presidential one. The more voices that are heard, the better the result.

So, as tired of the election cycle as so many of us are, there is just one more thing that needs doing. Everyone who can should go out and vote.

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