Next week we will be going to the polls to vote for governor, representatives to Congress, and, in many communities, for school boards, city council, county commissioners, sheriffs and other local officials. Some towns have referenda, as well.

The right to vote has been hard fought over the years and extended many times. The Maine State Constitution gives every citizen the right to vote. In 1868, the U.S. Constitution was amended to extend citizenship to all natural born or naturalized Americans regardless of race. This guaranteed that the rights of citizenship, like voting, cannot be restricted by the states. In 1870, the 15^th Amendment prohibited restricting the right to vote due to race. In 1920, voting rights were extended to women; and then in 1964 to everyone age 18 years and older. The 24^th Amendment, ratified in 1971, banned poll taxes, which had often prevented low-income citizens of all races from voting.

One issue mobilizing people to vote in this election is abortion. Looked at broadly, this is really about a woman’s right to self-determination, her right to choose the future direction of her life. The Supreme Court put this issue front and center by overturning Roe v. Wade in June. Now that the decision is no longer the law of the land, state and federal politicians can ban abortion or enact severe limits regardless of the circumstances of a woman’s pregnancy.

Polls consistently show that the majority of Americans (61%) support abortion rights and that it will be part of voters’ decision-making when they cast their ballots. In general, Democrats support maintaining access to legal, safe abortion while Republicans oppose it.

In Maine, Gov. Janet Mills has stated she will protect this right. In a recent debate, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, Paul LePage, backed away from his previous opposition to abortion. However, the Maine Christian Civic League has reassured its members that LePage remains the candidate for Maine governor who opposes legal abortion, as has been confirmed in recent ads.

Another issue critical to voters is health care. Again, there are significant differences in Maine’s top candidates’ views, especially around Medicaid. Referred to as MaineCare, this health insurance program provides health care coverage for Maine children and adults who are elderly, disabled, or with low-incomes. While in office, then-Gov. LePage blocked Medicaid expansion despite the federal government’s willingness to approve expansions. In contrast, Gov. Mills reversed LePage’s decision almost the moment she took office. Earlier this year, LePage stated that expanding Medicaid “is bad for everybody,” leaving the prospect that under another LePage administration, the additional 95,000 Mainers now covered as a result of the expansion would lose their health insurance.

Like abortion and health care, other key issues will be impacted by the outcomes of this year’s election. For example, the environment and the assurance that a sustainable environment that affords the coming generations a safe, healthy space in which to grow up and thrive must be upheld. Likewise, securing a sustainable workforce is also on the agenda, tied up with access to education, child care, paid family leave, and livable wages. And on the national front, our rights to just about everything meaningful — from abortion access to LGBTQ rights to free speech to racial justice to voting rights to marriage, contraception, and an education grounded in fact — is on the table and up for grabs.

Voting has unfortunately fallen prey to the increasing divisiveness among the populace, fed by ideological differences and misinformation. The extremely different ideas about what a democracy is and should be puts the country at risk of losing the rights to which we have become accustomed and entitled. Ensuring that this democracy, as we have known it and honored it, stands firm and is representative of the majority of its citizens has never been more critical.

Most of us live in Maine because it is a state that not only says it cares about its citizenry but behaves as such. In many instances over the past few years, Maine has been touted as a leader among states for its COVID protocols that kept significant numbers of people safe; for establishing a universal free lunch program that ensures all children will have access to a healthy lunch; and for its commitment to pursuing, and assuring equity, especially for those peoples who are, and have been systemically disadvantaged, disempowered and marginalized. Voting matters. These are positions that have been initiated and approved by legislative and state leaders who were elected by the majority of the state’s citizens.

Voting has made a difference in the way we live and love life in Maine. Keeping ourselves and our families, the state, local communities and the nation secure and safe is why we must make our voice heard by exercising our right to vote, to ensuring that a true majority rules. It is an obligation and a responsibility we, as citizens, have to ourselves and our families, our community, state, and country.

Please be sure to cast your ballot on Election Day. Make sure your voice is heard.

Amy Fried is professor of political science at the University of Maine; Lisa Miller is a former member of the Maine House of Representatives; and Luisa S. Deprez is professor emerita of sociology and the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. Their views do not represent any organization or employer but are their own. They are members of the Maine chapter of the national Scholars Strategy Network, which brings together scholars across the country to address public challenges and their policy implications. Members’ columns appear in this newspaper monthly.

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