GOOD news, bad news: West Virginia set a new record by registering nearly 1.2 million potential voters for the 2008 primary election.

But most of them didn't vote, even though the Democratic presidential clash between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton gave Mountain State balloting historic importance not seen since the 1960 showdown between John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey.

The unofficial turnout May 13 was a mere 40 percent, much less than in many past primaries, such as 54 percent in 1992. The secretary of state's staff doubts that the 2008 figure will rise much in the final, official count. Why were 60 percent of West Virginians disinterested in democracy this year? This is depressing.

Intelligent, informed participation in voting is essential for any "government of the people, by the people, for the people." That famed phrase mustn't be changed to "by 40 percent of the people."

It's sad to realize that America has two types of citizens: the minority who are active in the democratic process, and the majority who shrug it off.

But most of them didn't vote, even though the Democratic presidential clash between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton gave Mountain State balloting historic importance not seen since the 1960 showdown between John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey.

The unofficial turnout May 13 was a mere 40 percent, much less than in many past primaries, such as 54 percent in 1992. The secretary of state's staff doubts that the 2008 figure will rise much in the final, official count. Why were 60 percent of West Virginians disinterested in democracy this year? This is depressing.

Intelligent, informed participation in voting is essential for any "government of the people, by the people, for the people." That famed phrase mustn't be changed to "by 40 percent of the people."

It's sad to realize that America has two types of citizens: the minority who are active in the democratic process, and the majority who shrug it off.