AUGUSTA (AP) – Maine election officials urged eligible voters to get to the polls Tuesday and help elect a governor, Legislature, two U.S. representatives and a senator as well as contenders for local offices across the state.

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap predicted a 45 to 55 percent turnout, lower than for a presidential election but in line with what a gubernatorial election typically draws. Weather forecasters predicted dry weather on Election Day, with a chance of showers late Tuesday.

“The outcome of this election will impact every person and community in our state. No one should sit it out,” Dunlap said. “People in our state should remember that it’s never too late to register.” Those who are eligible to vote can register on Election Day and cast a ballot.

On Monday, candidates for major offices made their last rounds in hopes of nailing down votes. Democratic Gov. John Baldacci was at the Bath Iron Works gates early Monday, and later in the day headed to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery to shake hands with workers.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Chandler Woodcock was working his way from Biddeford-Saco to Sanford to meet with voters on Monday, a day after he joined the Maine Taxpayer Bill of Rights referendum campaign bus to make stops to urge yes votes on Question One.

The Green party’s Pat LaMarche completed a homestretch swing through several towns from Wells to Bangor to make a final push for her universal health care proposal. Independent Barbara Merrill also planned a series of appearances, including an afternoon stop at the Bath shipyard.

Organizations for and against passage of the initiative known as TABOR to limit government spending both predicted victory as their campaigns wound down Monday.

“I’m predicting 60-40, just like 30 years ago with state property tax repeal,” said Mary Adams, the 68-year-old activist from Garland who led the earlier campaign and went on to spearhead the petition drive that put TABOR on the ballot.

“We’re cautiously optimistic,” said Larry Benoit of Citizens United, the anti-TABOR coalition. “Recent polling has been encouraging and we believe that we’ve delivered an effective message. Maine people have obtained the facts about TABOR, and we believe it will be defeated.”

Also on the statewide ballot are Maine’s two U.S. House seats and for the Senate seat held by Republican Olympia Snowe. The two-term senator faces a challenge by organic farmer and writer Jean Hay Bright, a Democrat, and anti-war independent William Slavick. In the 1st Congressional District, incumbent Democratic Rep. Tom Allen faces Republican Darlene Curley and independent Dexter Kamilewicz. The 2nd District race pits Rep. Mike Michaud, a Democrat, against Republican Scott D’Amboise.

In the statewide voting for Maine’s 35-seat Senate and 151-seat House of Representatives, Democrats are defending their dominant positions in both chambers and Republicans are pressing challenges to retake the reins.

Heading into Election Day, margins in the Maine Senate and House of Representatives are tight.

Democrats now hold a 74-73 House edge over Republicans. The chamber also has one Green party member and three independents. In the state Senate, the numbers are close, too – Democrats have a 19-16 majority over Republicans.

The ballot also features a proposal seeking to clarify the Maine Constitution’s requirements for citizen initiatives and people’s vetoes.

Mainers use paper ballots to cast their votes. About 120 towns and cities representing 65-70 percent of the population mark ballots which are read by optical scanners, Deputy Secretary of State Doug Dunbar said. The remaining 300 communities representing 30-35 percent of Mainers vote on ballots that are hand-counted.

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On the Net:

Maine Secretary of State: http://www.maine.gov/sos/