Don't squander voting rights

In Iran, demonstrators have risked injury and death in protests over the authenticity of the June 12 election in which incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected president.

The Iranians' passion for a fair election is instructive. Voting rights — the freedom to vote and for each vote to be counted — are precious freedoms. They should not be taken for granted.

Unfortunately, far too many Utahns shirk their rights and civic responsibilities when it comes to voting. Utah had the second-worst voter turnout in last November's election, while nationwide, record numbers of voters turned out to the polls, according to Census estimates. Just 53.1 percent of U.S. citizens in Utah 18 and older voted in the presidential election. Meanwhile, 63.6 percent of Americans nationwide turned out to the polls.

Excuses abound. Some didn't vote because the outcome of the presidential race was a foregone conclusion. Others didn't like their choice of candidates. Still others just didn't bother to show up, despite changes such as early voting and voting by mail that make casting a ballot more convenient than ever.

For those who are registered to vote, there's little excuse for not voting, other than apathy. That's a pretty pathetic reason not to participate.

Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen says Utah's low voter turnout can also be attributed to changes in state law that eliminated voter registration at satellite locations. In Salt Lake County alone, some 15,000 people registered to vote in grocery stores in past years. Also, voters must register 30 days before an election. The state used to allow registrations 20 days before an election.

Obviously, state laws should be written in a manner that encourage the greatest numbers of people to vote, providing election officials have ample time to prepare for elections.

Suppose we buy into the rationalization that the outcome of the presidential race was predictable, Utahns had plenty of other issues and candidates on the ballots that deserved their attention. Turnout for the 2008 primary election, for instance, was abysmal. Less than 10 percent of the state's registered voters effectively chose a congressman in the 3rd Congressional District and decided a number of legislative races.

We know Utahns like to vote. Put a Utahn on a reality television show, and one can guarantee a solid block of support from the Beehive State. True, it takes a bit more effort to visit a polling place or cast a ballot by mail than to vote by text. But if we invest enough in the concept of having a choice for our favorite reality television "star," shouldn't that passion translate into issues that hit us where we live?