BY DAVID GRANT LONG

Local turnout for Friday’s presidential primaries was the lightest in recent memory, according to election judge Marilyn Haley, who had seen only 57 voters from Precinct #8 at the Montezuma County Annex all morning.

Montezuma County has approximately 15,000 registered voters —6,100 Republicans, 4,200 Democrats and 4,700 unaffiliated with either party — but only a small fraction were expected to vote.

"Some people say they have no idea why they’re voting, that it seems kind of pointless," said Haley, adding that primaries involving local candidates generally draw more interest.

But some electors had definite ideas about the value of their participation.

"I’m voting because we want the candidates to start coming here and telling us why we should vote for them," said Donna Hauser, who voted in the GOP primary. "If we don’t show up to vote, they’re going to just avoid us forever.

"I prefer (Texas Gov. George W.) Bush over (Sen. John) McCain because I think he has a better personality," she said. "He’s . . . not funny, but . . . more real —I think he’s more of a ‘people’ person."

Like Hauser, many of those voting during the noon hour yesterday seemed bent on confirming the choice of the two candidates who have already essentially won their parties’ nominations.

Bush seemed to be the odds-on favorite among the handful of Republicans willing to share their preference, and Vice President Al Gore was getting the nod over former Sen. Bill Bradley from the few Democrats bothering to make the trip to the polls.

"I never gave it a second thought that I shouldn’t (vote)," said Maidee Leonard. "It’s been pretty much decided, but we just decided to go ahead and confirm it.

"I don’t mind telling you I voted for Bush," Leonard said. "I like him."

Gussie Gift said she was voting in the GOP contest "so I can gripe if I want to."

"If you don’t go vote, you have to keep your mouth shut," Gift said, and her friend agreed.

"If you go put your name down, then you’ve got a right to say what you want to," Lottie James said.

Patricia and David Faulkner, who also voted in the Republican primary, said it is a simple matter of civic responsibility.

"It’s my privilege to vote," Patricia Faulkner said, "and I’m not going to not vote."

"It also a responsibility,’ added David Faulkner, "and I want to think that even though my vote is only one, it still counts." He said he’d voted for Bush "primarily because I think he’s the best man running."

"I know it doesn’t help that much," said another woman who asked not to be identified, "but I think we should vote anytime there’s an opportunity.

"It’s a privilege and if you don’t speak up, who knows?" she said, adding that her vote was also going to Bush.

"McCain’s kind of lost it, hasn’t he?" she added. "I think Bush is the way out here — we sure don’t want Gore, the environmentalist!"

But there were a few enthusiastic supporters of the vice president among the primary voters at Precinct 8.

"I consider voting a privilege," Jane Anderson said. "I’m glad to be in a place where there’s some choices.