Monday, May 22, 2006 | 7:18 a.m.
There is a danger that this year's primary elections will see an even lower turnout than in past years. That's because they will be held on Aug. 15, which is prime vacation time for a lot of families.
The 2005 Legislature approved the date change because county clerks wanted more time between the primaries and the general election so that sample ballots and overseas military ballots could be more carefully prepared. In the past the primary elections had been held on the first Tuesday of September.
Since 1970 the highest percentage of eligible voters turning out for the primaries was reached in 1982. That year's turnout was 61 percent. The lowest percentage, 23.3 percent, was recorded in 2000. In the years since 2000 less than 30 percent has been the norm.
We worry that the turnout could dip even more in light of the G-sting scandal involving former county commissioners Lance Malone, Erin Kenny, Dario Herrera and Mary Kincaid-Chauncey.
Instead of being cynical about government, and boycotting the elections based on the mistaken impression that all politicians are crooks, we ask voters to adopt the opposite position. Paying attention to the candidates' statements, reviewing their positions and backgrounds and then voting for the one considered most qualified is the best way to fight such scandals.
Low voter turnouts symbolize apathy, and it is within an atmosphere of apathy that crooked politicians flourish.
On the ballot Aug. 15 will be five candidates who all have a shot to become Nevada's next governor. State Sen. Bob Beers, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and Rep. Jim Gibbons are Republican candidates for this office, and Democrats include state Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus and Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson. With this many known candidates for the state's top job, all with years of public service in their backgrounds, the turnout could - and should - be higher.
In the coming weeks candidates facing primary elections will be the subject of media reports. They will be knocking on doors, sending mailers, giving interviews and participating in public forums. We hope all voters devote some time to learning about them, and then budget some time on Aug. 15 to turn out at the polls.
People in Iraq risked their lives to vote. What are we risking by not voting?
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