Maine’s gubernatorial candidates maintained busy campaign schedules Sunday as the parties worked the phones to make sure people get out and vote.

Democratic Gov. John Baldacci joined state Sen. Joe Perry at a fire station in Bangor before greeting volunteers at a Democratic phone bank. Capping the day was a spaghetti dinner with Democratic Rep. Michael Michaud at the William S. Cohen School.

Republican Chandler Woodcock and Green Independent Pat LaMarche campaigned in southern Maine, while independent Barbara Merrill continued to make appearances while relying largely on half-hour paid television advertisements to get her message across.

Woodcock, a state representative from Farmington, joined the Taxpayer Bill of Rights campaign caravan in Lewiston-Auburn, Scarborough, Biddeford and Kennebunk. “We’re trying to get in front of as many people as possible,” said campaign manager Chris Jackson.

LaMarche, for her part, joined a “Bridge to Peace” rally at the Casco Bay Bridge between Portland and South Portland, followed by an event at Monument Square.

Merrill used her unorthodox, half-hour shows to get her message across as she and her campaign caravan continued to make stops on Sunday, said spokesman Dick Dyer.

In the ad, Merrill touts values of “thrift, community, hard work and ingenuity” while promising to restore fiscal responsibility. She said she doesn’t support the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, but would fight to protect the spending limits if approved by voters.

Behind the scenes, the political parties spent the weekend greasing the wheels of their get-out-the-vote operations. For Republicans and Democrats, that largely meant working the phones to make sure the party faithful cast tallies.

Matthew Dunlap, the state’s top election official, expects a turnout of 45 to 55 percent of eligible voters on Tuesday.


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