Voter turnout in Panola County for the August 2 party primary elections was low — 37 percent of eligible registered voters, according to the office of Circuit Clerk Joe Reid.

That’s especially low for a political year when candidates are seeking the office of sheriff and governor, traditionally the two races in which state and county voters show the most interest.

Interest was highest in the sheriff’s race. Over 9,700 of those voting August 2 made a choice in the sheriff’s race, the highest number of votes for any office in the county. Next highest, according to the Circuit Clerk’s spokesman, was not governor but state senator where voters faced the choice of two Democrats seeking to represent Panola and Tate Counties.

Unfortunately, interest in next Tuesday’s runoff could be even lower. Nominees for sheriff and senate have been selected. The Republican nominee for governor has been selected. Republicans who return to the polls on August 23 will find only one choice facing them: either Lynn Fitch or Lee Young for State Treasurer.

Local Democrats have additional incentives. The vigorous campaigns waged by Melissa Meek-Phelps and Craig Sheley for nomination as Circuit Clerk will be settled in that runoff.

Next week’s runoff will also determine who will serve as District One’s supervisor: incumbent James Birge or former supervisor Jesse Lyons.

The August 23 runoff will also settle who is the Democrat’s supervisor nominee in Districts Two and Three. Those nominees will face Republican nominees and/or independent candidates in the November 8 General Election as will the nominees for sheriff, circuit clerk, chancery clerk, tax assessor and collector, District Four and Five supervisor, Representative District 10 and Senate District 10.

We’re in the middle of the most complex political year we have ever faced in Mississippi. Confusion stemming from the complexity may have been a factor in the low turnout  August 2. Another factor could simply have been the brutal heat of that day.

The extended forecast for Tuesday, August 23 calls for somewhat milder temperatures with thunderstorms possible.

At stake county-wide is the office responsible for elections and criminal courts. At stake for 60 percent of the county are elected representatives at our most basic level of government.

Would it be presumptuous to hope that more than 30 percent of the county’s eligible voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, August 23?