In a democracy every individual has a right and responsibility to vote. Our country is founded on that principle and one of the great aspects of this country. While it is a responsibility of individuals to engage in the democratic process by voting, it is also important to make this process and accessible as possible to the voters.

Something striking occurred in the last election. In Windham there was a 23 percent voter turnout. This is sadly small, however it is somewhat understandable since it was a light election with primarily referendum questions and no candidates running for office. Still why more people do not take this right more seriously is beguiling. What is more striking however and confounding is that the low percentages were 50 to 60 percent more than the June election.

With only state referendums, county issues and the potential of a racino situated hundreds of miles away, voter turnout in Windham was at around 23 percent. In June when local officials were on the ballot, there was a 14 percent turnout.

In Gray there are about 5,300 registered voters. In the June elections, with both local officials and the town budget on the ballot, the turnout was 883 or around 15.5 percent. In November, turnout was 1,291 (24 percent).

If we look at Bridgton, the same thing holds true. In the June election with municipal seats up for a vote 644 votes were cast out of around 3,904 registered voters. In the November election, 1,020 votes were cast in Bridgton. When a special election was held in February, 136 voters turned out.

Why is this?

One reason is that many people are basically apathetic and too seldom engage proactively in the political process. Another reason is that our voting season is really more geared toward November than it is June. Because of the publicity, intensity, ramifications and recent national disasters, the November elections are most ingrained in our collective civic consciousness.

With the difference in voter turnout between these two elections I am more than convinced that we need to move our town elections to November. For whatever reason this is when more voters turn out. This should be understood and respected by our council and addressed and amended in the town charter.

Many towns have made such a change and it works fine. In Windham, and I am sure other towns, it has been argued that due to the budget cycle it is best that newly elected officials come in June. But, most often, little awareness of the budget is formed until budget discussions begin in the spring.

Another reason given to justify the June election is the timing of the town meeting. Last year, out of about 11,000 registered voters only 80 actually participated and voted the entire town budget. The swearing-in of new officials is a small part of the town meeting and most people are heading out as the officials are being sworn in. Swearing-in could as easily happen in a ceremony in November as it can at town meeting.

In short, moving elections is better for our towns overall. If leadership does not instigate a move of the town elections to November, then the people should.

Michael Shaughnessy lives in Windham.