By Sen. Russell Black

There is a referendum election next week. Elections are a time when the people of Maine and across this great nation make their voices heard. That voice takes the form of a vote and your chance to make your voice heard on several ballot questions happens on Tuesday, November 7.

Hello, this is Senator Russell Black of Franklin County. I thank you for joining me for this week’s Republican Radio Address. Before I talk about what’s coming up next week, however, I want to take a moment to reflect on what happened last week.

Lewiston is in our collective hearts right now as the community contends with the aftermath of our worst incident of violence that Maine has ever faced. Eighteen people lost their lives. Thirteen more are suffering through their injuries.

We grieve for the families of those who were lost, and pray for the recovery of those who survived. We honor those who bravely fought their attacker and helped save others. And we thank our law enforcement and first responders who heroically met the needs of our community and people as events unfolded.

My commitment to you is we will work to determine what happened and how we can prevent it in the future. We already have many questions that need answers. These answers need to be factual, complete and transparent to fully recount how this happened. Only then can we find the right path forward.

So as we look forward to finding answers, we look ahead to next week when Mainers will decide eight statewide questions on the November 7 ballot. Cities and towns across the state will also be electing local leaders and school committee members on their local ballots.

Voting is a civic duty that is important to every election. It is the foundation of true democracy; and races can be decided by a single vote. Other civic duties we share as Americans are obeying the law, serving on a jury, paying taxes for the common good and upholding the ideals of our U.S. and Maine constitutions.

For some, it means public service through standing for an elected public office. According to Thomas Jefferson, keeping yourself well informed and educated is also a civic duty vital to a functioning democracy. And in some countries, civic duty means required military service in defense of those nations.

While voting is an important civic duty, it is also one of our most sacred and treasured rights enjoyed by every American. It is a freedom sought by countless others across the world who don’t have the liberties we enjoy here.

The right to vote and doing so is also foundational to how our democracy functions. Some would argue that it is not only a civic duty but also a moral responsibility and obligation to the very society in which we live. You could argue it’s our “cost” of living in a free American society.

Election Day is your chance to make your voice heard. Visit the Maine Secretary of State’s website to become well informed about the eight statewide questions that will appear on this year’s ballot. More importantly, I encourage you to support your local candidates and vote on Tuesday. Doing so proves how our government – from President down to your local town councilor – is answerable to each and every one of us.

Again, I am Senator Russell Black of Franklin County. As I close today’s address, I thank you for listening and ask that we all pray for the Lewiston victims and their families.

There’s never been a time when I can say Maine’s people stand united like we are today.

Senator Russell Black represents District 5, which includes communities in Franklin, Kennebec and Somerset counties. He is the Senate Republican Lead for the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee.