CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- During the intense Democratic primary battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, West Virginia set an all-time record for voter registration. Nearly 1.2 million state residents - more than 90 percent of the adult population - signed up to vote.

But, dishearteningly, only 40 percent of them bothered going to the polls on Election Day. More than half simply ignored the primary contest. How could they have so little interest in democracy?

Now another crucial, vital election is nearing. America's future will be determined Nov. 4. So will much of West Virginia's future. We hope that Mountain State adults show more concern about their nation and state this time.

Election registrars in Kanawha, Putnam and other counties are waging a blitz to sign up still more voters, before registration ends Oct. 14 and early voting begins Oct. 15. Mobile Kanawha sign-up crews will seek registrants Sept. 16-18 at the Governor's Summit on Aging at the South Charleston Ramada - and at Charleston's U.S. Courthouse Oct. 7 - and at the Charleston Town Center mall Oct. 10-11 - and at the state Book Festival in the Civic Center Oct. 11-12. Putnam County likewise is pursuing registrants.

Voting is a sacrament of democracy. It's the heart of citizenship. When the entire populace votes, entrenched political machines and big-money pressure groups have less chance to decide the outcome. But if most of the populace stays home, the election-fixers gain more power.

So we beg every informed, concerned West Virginia adult: Be sure that you're registered - then perform your democratic duty Nov. 4.

But, dishearteningly, only 40 percent of them bothered going to the polls on Election Day. More than half simply ignored the primary contest. How could they have so little interest in democracy?

Now another crucial, vital election is nearing. America's future will be determined Nov. 4. So will much of West Virginia's future. We hope that Mountain State adults show more concern about their nation and state this time.

Election registrars in Kanawha, Putnam and other counties are waging a blitz to sign up still more voters, before registration ends Oct. 14 and early voting begins Oct. 15. Mobile Kanawha sign-up crews will seek registrants Sept. 16-18 at the Governor's Summit on Aging at the South Charleston Ramada - and at Charleston's U.S. Courthouse Oct. 7 - and at the Charleston Town Center mall Oct. 10-11 - and at the state Book Festival in the Civic Center Oct. 11-12. Putnam County likewise is pursuing registrants.

Voting is a sacrament of democracy. It's the heart of citizenship. When the entire populace votes, entrenched political machines and big-money pressure groups have less chance to decide the outcome. But if most of the populace stays home, the election-fixers gain more power.

So we beg every informed, concerned West Virginia adult: Be sure that you're registered - then perform your democratic duty Nov. 4.