Historically, good politicians govern from the middle. But more and more we seem to be electing ideologues — people driven by a political and/or moral philosophy, less likely to compromise, especially with members of the minority party.

In Utah, we are now on our third Republican governor who is fighting not with legislative Democrats, but with conservatives in his own party over all kinds of issues.

Even though Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is his party's state leader, he still couldn't get GOP legislators to even DEBATE this summer giving $2 million for emergency dental care to Utah's poorest, disabled citizens.

Many Utahns may scream over such decisions, but when their legislator sits in a safe Republican district, raises his campaign war chest from special interest groups that back him no matter what. Even if he is challenged from within his own party, only 10 percent to 15 percent of voters cast primary ballots, and he knows he is almost immune from being replaced.

So, what's the answer?

Here are just a few ideas that would likely help primary voter turnout in Utah (none of which, I'm guessing, will be adopted by Utah lawmakers).

• Change the primary election date to either May or September, outside of the summer vacation time frame. (The September 1992 primary saw 50 percent turnout here.)

Partisan politicians would likely pick May, since they don't want to see intraparty fights run all summerlong, eating up money and making for party-splitting, nasty long primary campaigns.

• Give an incentive to vote in both the primary and general elections. How about a $5 or $10 credit on your state income taxes, verified by a receipt given to voters by poll-sitting judges.

• While the Utah Republican Party has the legal right to close its primaries to only registered Republicans, the Legislature can keep the current easy, quick party registration at all polling places so independents can register Republican and pick up a GOP ballot.

• Voter registration could be allowed on Election Day, with proper citizen identification.

It seems that our political leaders are satisfied with a poor primary voter turnout. Still, a 15 percent or 20 percent turnout is dismal. It's indicative of a sick political electorate.

Utah political leaders should be concerned about it — not just give lip service to the problem for a few days every June primary.

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Deseret Morning News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com