So there really could be a good voter turnout June 22 — something like 65 percent of registered voters are eligible to vote in the GOP primary in the county.

But it appears that many Utahns just don't like the idea of publicly having to identify themselves with any party. (Democratic Party leaders continue to hold open primaries when Democrats have one, which is not very often.)

There were a number of anecdotal stories from 2002 election judges who said people came to vote, found out they had to register as a Republican to vote in the GOP primary, and walked away without voting rather than fill out a GOP registration card.

Follow my thinking here:

Since Utahns have not elected a Democratic governor since 1980, odds are the man picked June 22 will become governor — whether that is Nolan Karras or Jon Huntsman Jr.

The Democratic nominee, Scott Matheson Jr. — along with the seat being open with Gov. Olene Walker's defeat in the May 8 state GOP convention — gives Democrats hope.

"This is our best chance to win the governorship in 20 years," says Donald Dunn, state Democratic Party chairman.

Still, Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-1 in the state.

And it's a presidential election year, which means a good turnout in the final election and a lot of Utahns voting for President Bush.

While Democrats may be smiling today, in my book the Republicans picked on June 22 are still odds on favorites.

What about the 2nd District, one may say?

Scott Matheson's younger brother, Jim Matheson, has won the seat twice. But GOP legislators made the district much more Republican in 2001. And with all those Bush voters expected at the polls in November, there's a good chance Rep. Matheson could get the boot.

Finally, while Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, does face former state GOP Rep. Matt Throckmorton in the 3rd District, even if the incumbent is defeated, the district is heavily Republican and the ultimate nominee is likely to win.

So, June 22 voters could be picking the next governor, next 2nd District and next 3rd District congressmen — even though there could be lively, and expensive, races in November's final election.

In Salt Lake County, where all ballots will have Karras/Huntsman, and most will have either the 2nd District's John Swallow and Tim Bridgewater, or the Cannon/Throckmorton race, we still get only 10 percent turnout?

Not very good, considering what's at stake.

The standard answer is Utahns should care more about their elective government, should educate themselves on the candidates and issues and go vote. The real answer is that Republicans should have an open primary.

The primary should be held in late summer or September — when it used to be held and when we historically had much greater turnout. And legislators should consider something radical — like giving a $5 or $25 credit on your state income taxes for people who go to the polls and vote. I say the price of a Happy Meal is worth a participatory democracy.

For now, pay attention to what the candidates are saying. If you have access to the the Internet, Google the candidate's names and go to their Web sites for more information. Search databases for news stories about them.

Figure out who the best guy might be for your tastes. And go vote in the June 22 primary.

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Bob Bernick's e-mail address is bbjr@desnews.com