AUGUSTA - In celebration of National Voter Registration Day, the Maine Department of the Secretary of State is encouraging all voting-age citizens to register to vote in preparation for the Tuesday, Nov. 7, Referendum Election.

Secretary Dunlap released a video statement on the department Facebook page, explaining the registration process. While adult citizens in Maine can register to vote any time, up to and including Election Day, he encourages earlier registration so they can focus on educating themselves on the ballot issues.

"Our democracy is built from the ground up and it only works if we all participate," said Secretary Dunlap, in a news release. "National Voter Registration Day is a reminder for all of us to make sure our voter registration information is up to date."

The National Association of Secretaries of State established September as National Voter Registration Month in 2002, to encourage voter participation and increase awareness about state requirements. To learn more about Maine's elections, including the online absentee ballot request service, visit: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/index.html .

All voters are also encouraged to read the Citizens Guide to the 2017 Election, which is now available online and at libraries and town offices statewide. The guide, prepared by the Department of the Secretary of State in collaboration with the attorney general, state treasurer and Office of Fiscal and Program review, is an unbiased and non-partisan review of the issues that voters will consider at the polls on Nov. 7. The November 2017 ballot http://maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html will include two citizens' initiative questions, one bond issue and one constitutional amendment:

Question 1 is "An Act To Allow Slot Machines or a Casino in York County."

Question 2 is "An Act To Enhance Access to Affordable Health Care."

Question 3 is "An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Improve Highways, Bridges and Multimodal Facilities and Upgrade Municipal Culverts."

Question 4 is "Resolution, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Reduce Volatility in State Pension Funding Requirements Caused by the Financial Markets."