We were exceptionally discouraged to see voter turnout decline so significantly across Northeast Michigan when compared to the last non-gubernatorial primary in August 2020.

Poll books showed turnout dipped from 38% to 34% in Alpena County, from 37% to 36% in Presque Isle County, from 54% to 34% in Montmorency County, and from 37% to 22% in Alcona County, according to local clerks.

Turnout in the November general elections can top 60% or more and often higher in presidential election years such as this year.

That’s a shame for a couple of reasons.

For one, in areas such as Northeast Michigan where one party is heavily favored, real decisions happen in the primary. Many of the candidates who won the Republican primaries on Tuesday will advance unopposed to the November general election, meaning voters on Tuesday — not in November — ultimately decided who will take seats on county and township boards.

For another, primary ballots feature many tax proposals that the many voters who stayed home on Tuesday will pay without ever having a say.

Primary elections matter. In some cases, more than the fall election.

We have to get voters to turn out.

We repeat calls we made before the election for voters across our readership to educate themselves about the issues on primary ballots and then head to the polls.

And we call on area clerks, candidates, and advocacy groups to do more to reach out to voters and encourage them to vote in primaries.

Democracy works best when a true majority of the community expresses its will.

We as a community have to do more to get our community to turn in primaries.