Mainers love democracy. From our town meetings to our frequent statewide referendums to our part-time Legislature, made up of regular people (and a few irregular ones), we love to stand up and be personally counted on important issues.

If voting were a sport, we’d be the national champions – if it weren’t for those darn election-mad Minnesotans.

‘RISING AMERICAN ELECTORATE’

In 2010, 55.2 percent of eligible Maine voters came out to vote for governor, far above the national average of 41 percent. It would have been the most impressive turnout rate in the country, if it weren’t for Minnesota, which squeezed ahead of us with 55.4 percent.

In the 2012 presidential election, Maine’s turnout was 68.1 percent. At 10 points higher than the national average, that put us in an exclusive club made up only of hotly contested swing states – ahead of Ohio and Virginia and just below Iowa and Colorado. But Minnesota showed us up again, racking up an incredible 75.7 percent.

We can’t let this happen again.

If we’re going to win, our hopes rest on what the Voter Participation Center calls “the Rising American Electorate.”

This is a set of demographic groups including young people, unmarried women and people of color. Together they make up 52 percent of the voting-eligible population in America, but they don’t vote in proportion to their numbers.

They’re also more likely to be drop-off voters, casting ballots in high-turnout presidential contests but not making it to the polls for midterm elections like this one, with the governorship at stake.

This drop-off dynamic not only drives down turnout generally, it also makes for a very different electorate for midterm elections, one that’s older, whiter and more male than in presidential years. This decrease in voting can often favor the Republican Party. (Although not always – Maine seniors, for instance, usually lean toward Democratic candidates).

So young people, women, Mainers of color: Get out there. It’s up to you to help us win.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS

One of the reasons Maine does so well in election turnout is that our voting laws are inclusive and focused on making casting a ballot easy and accessible.

Thanks to a 2011 referendum in which 60 percent of the electorate voted to protect same-day voter registration, Mainers can register to vote right at the polls on Election Day. You don’t need to have a photo ID to vote, but to register you’ll need something showing where you live – a utility bill or paycheck stub works.

College students at Maine campuses can and should vote in state elections, and can use a cellphone bill or student housing bill to register.

One of the best parts of Maine’s election laws is that you don’t need to wait until Nov. 4 to cast a ballot. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot up until Oct. 30, and you have until Election Day to return it. The simplest way to get one is to use the form at the Maine Secretary of State’s Office website. You can also just call your local town office or city hall and ask them to send you one.

Voting early by absentee ballot is the absolute best way to make sure that your vote counts. Lots of things can happen on Election Day, from car trouble to family emergencies, but you won’t have to worry about any of that disenfranchising you if you send your vote in now. According to data released by the Secretary of State’s Office, as of this week more than 20,000 Mainers have already requested an absentee ballot.

NO EXCUSES

“But what if I want one of those ‘I voted’ stickers?” you’re no doubt now asking.

That’s a good point. Showing up to vote on Election Day and getting a sticker is pretty great. You get to feel that sense of smug superiority as everyone can see that you’ve performed your civic duty. What could be better than that?

I’ll tell you what: voting in person at your town office or city hall right now. You can go fill out a ballot during office hours any time from now until Thursday, Oct. 30, hassle-free. (After that, you can still vote but you’ll have to fill out a short form saying why you won’t be able to make it on Election Day.)

In my town, they have polling booths set up and a roll of “I voted” stickers just waiting for early-bird voters. Wearing that sticker weeks before Election Day will make you feel even more self-satisfied. It’s basically hipster voting.

There’s no excuse not to vote and no reason for Maine to lose to Minnesota ever again. Garrison Keillor and Prince have probably already cast their ballots. Have you?

Mike Tipping is a political junkie who works for the Maine People’s Alliance. He can be contacted at:

writebacktomike@gmail.com

Twitter: @miketipping

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