HOLLADAY — More than 100,000 of us voted early, election officials say. At least 1,000 of them were in Holladay City Hall when I voted last Friday.

I count that as a good thing. It was well-organized (almost as efficient as the lines for attractions at Disneyland) and my fellow voters were in good spirits. It made me wonder why more people weren't there.

When I say 1,000 voters, it's not too much of an exaggeration. One election official told me more than some 800 people showed up for early voting two days last week. (True, they weren't all there at once.)

After voting early (I have a sticker to prove it), I wonder why more people don't take advantage of the opportunity. I made up my mind on most races and issues weeks ago. I felt relief when I cast my ballot. It was as if I had immunized myself from the barrage of negative campaigning yet to come. I voted my conscience. All there is to do is wait.

Frankly, I needed to vote. The presidential campaign has been too long. Way too long. My 13-year-old — now in junior high — was in the fifth grade when some of the candidates announced they were running.

Plus, the presidential campaign has entered a really stupid phase. It's perfect fodder for political satire, such as the hilarious offerings of "Saturday Night Live," but I'm sick of the reports about the cost of Sarah Palin's hair, makeup and clothes. Ditto for reports about Joe Biden's latest gaffes. Our nation is engaged in combat in two countries and the economy is a mess. When is someone going to do something about health-care reform, Social Security and immigration? Can't we keep our eye on the ball?

Some say our political season is lengthy because such an endurance test gives candidates sufficient time to show their mettle or to implode. There may well be something to that.

But with so much attention given the top of the ticket, the people and issues that affect us where we live (and affect our pocketbooks) get short shrift.

A woman in line with me at the polls told me she was new to the area and had no idea who to vote for for state and local school board. I wasn't sure what to say. I reported on public schools for a good deal of my journalism career, so I take those races seriously because I have a vested interest. My children attend public schools. Like any other property owner in Utah, the lion's share of my property taxes support public education.