Most people don't bother to vote in November general elections. It's even more difficult to convince voters to go to the polls during the height of vacation season - the first week in August - when elections and candidates are the furthest things from their minds.

But this year's primary election, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug 6, is different than most. At the top of the Democratic ticket for governor are no less than three viable candidates for Michigan governor - some will argue that Dems haven't had a single viable candidate for governor in 12 years.

Voters will also decide on which members of Congress, Michigan state senators, representatives, judges, county commissioners and numerous other local offices will proceed to the Nov. 5 general election ballot. For many offices, the winner of the primary may have little or no opposition in the general election, and will be the de facto winner

Of the 7.2 million Michigan residents who are of the voting age population, only 43.3 percent voted in the last gubernatorial election in 1998. Since 1950, the highest turnout in an election year for governor was 60 percent in 1962. The highest voting age percentage to turnout for any Michigan election in the last half century was 72.7 in the 1960 presidential election.

Hopefully, you will take the time to exercise your franchise on Aug. 6. The Political Action Committee of The Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council has compiled a list of endorsees for the Aug. 6 primary on Page. 3. Your vote is your voice. Please use it.