Some county voters have tried to brush off Tuesday's dismal primary election turnout as a lack of contested races.
Don't tell that to the candidates who spent the last six weeks knocking on doors in triple-digit heat, begging for campaign donations, trying to engage voters and logging hundreds of miles on their cars and trucks.
Cleveland County voters Tuesday fell to a dismal low of 16.75 percent compared to the statewide 18 percent average. Neighboring McClain County voters did even worse, coming in at less than 15 percent.
Late last week, Cleveland County's election secretary Paula Roberts was hoping for 25 to 30 percent turnout. She didn't get nearly that.
Democrats had a primary in the sheriff's race and the U.S. Senate contest but didn't field candidates for county clerk or county commissioner. Republicans had a six-man sheriff's primary and didn't field a candidate for court clerk.
The weak turnout reminds us of the photographs we see of voters waiting in lines for hours and sometimes days to cast ballots in new democracies. You can't blame the heat, lack of interest or even distraction from the Olympics. It's simple laziness. Democracy is not a spectator sport.
