This county's voters ought to be excited about the opportunity to cast ballots in tomorrow's primary election. Indeed, all registered voters here should strive to get to the polls to make their choices.

Those who do will be helping to select party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, two congressional seats and some state legislative offices. In addition, they'll be electing members for the Republican and Democratic state committees.

Although the election should have sparked interest and excitement over the past few weeks, it mostly hasn't, except for ongoing fallout from the health care reform bill passed by Congress.

There's also some anti-incumbency mood across much of the country and in the commonwealth, although the impact here remains to be seen.

In a big way, lack of interest is the candidates' fault. They've sidestepped discussing in specifics some of the state's biggest problems, such as the revenue deficit, economic growth, taxes, program and staff cuts, transportation needs and how to meet them, and how to clean up governmental corruption in Harrisburg. When the candidates have touched on those issues, they failed to offer any real insight on how they feel the issues should be addressed.

Thus, it's no wonder that the stage is set for tomorrow's election to be yet another marked by low voter turnout, although it would be good news if those predicting a low turnout were proven wrong.

If that happened, it might portend a healthy turnout for the Nov. 2 general election.

If campaign signs could speak, perhaps their messages would have given voters more incentive to go to the polls. Unfortunately, signs don't talk. They're all about names and little else of substance.

Even in newspaper and electronic media ads, the voters have gotten little of the kind of information they need to judge candidates' qualifications and positions for the purpose of making intelligent choices — including whether it's in their best interests to vote for or against incumbents.

Regarding television ads, the party or group promoting a candidate depicts its candidate as a shining example of what an elected official should be; the opponent is portrayed by grainy footage depicting the candidate as someone not to be trusted.

Generally missing is any specific information on how the "good" candidate would help make things better.

This primary election, like most before it, stands to be more of a popularity contest than an effective vehicle toward achieving more honest and effective government — government devoted to the best interests of the people.

In terms of U.S. House offices that are up for grabs, there's an unusual aspect to tomorrow's election: Butler has a candidate vying for the 3rd District seat.

That in itself ought to be an incentive for people here to go to the polls, whether they support or oppose that candidate.

For the most part, the primary election is a vehicle for party nominations — to decide which candidates will face off in the November election.

Voters not going to the polls enhance the chance of a candidate that most people don't really prefer getting on the fall ballot.

Between now and tomorrow, registered voters should reflect on their important privilege and responsibility to go to the polls. They also should commit themselves to helping a family member, friend or neighbor get to the polls.

The bottom line: Tomorrow is an important opportunity for this county's voters. They should not squander it.