Referendum elections are notorious for low turnouts.

Even in a state with Maine’s participation pedigree, ballot questions typically draw only about 34 percent of eligible voters to the polls, well below the nearly 70 percent who turn out for presidential elections.

Voters this year, however, improved on the mark. Slightly more than 40 percent of the state’s voting-age population turned out on Nov. 8 to decide on seven statewide questions. In all, 408,819 ballots were cast, according to the secretary of state.

While local elections in several municipalities also contributed to the larger number, Question 1, the attempted people’s veto of the state’s new anti-discrimination law, motivated many voters. The veto failed, and the law outlawing discrimination based upon sexual orientation was allowed to take effect.

Voting is a civic responsibility all residents share. The more people who participate in the process, the better the outcome is likely to be.

The improved turnout is a hopeful indicator that Maine will continue its high level of participation, at least in statewide elections. But the optimism is blunted by the poor showing in several city contests. In Lewiston, most races weren’t competitive and a school board member was elected by a write-in campaign she knew nothing about because no one else tried for the seat.

Anger over taxes in Auburn has breathed new life into that city’s politics. While we don’t favor the current effort to recall most of the city council and mayor, we hope that the renewed energy in municipal politics will continue after the 2006 elections.

Say what you will about the 40 percent turnout being low, it’s an improvement over past years and compares well to other states. In Virginia, which hosted a heavily contested race for governor that even attracted President Bush to the state, only about 45 percent of voters went to the polls.

Mainers like to participate and that translates into a better, more representative government.