On July 20, you had the chance to help choose nominees for the most important political offices in Georgia, yet most of you didn’t take advantage of the opportunity. Less than 22-percent of registered voters in Georgia cast ballots in the primaries.

That’s a shame. It means that barely one of every five potential voters actually helped narrow down the candidates for every statewide constitutional office, including governor and lieutenant governor. Every seat in the General Assembly was also on the ballot, so was a U.S. Senate race and numerous local races.

It’s not too late to have your voice heard in some races. On the Republican side, there are runoffs for four statewide offices, including governor. There’s one statewide Democratic runoff. You can check with your local election office to see if there are races in your city or county.

If you voted on July 20, you have to stick with the same party for the Aug. 10 runoff. But if you didn’t vote last week, you can vote in either party’s runoff.

Runoffs are often overlooked, but they are important. Sadly, voter turnout will likely be far less than the disappointing turnout on primary day. But we hope you’ll do your part to surprise us. Go to the polls, give your opinion, help elect the candidates you think are most qualified, and give Georgia’s voter turnout rate a boost.

Volunteers clean up river polluters’ mess

Recent events cause us to condemn the actions of some south Georgians, and praise those other community-minded citizens, who are trying to clean up their mess.

Washing machines, dryers, bikes, tires, and sheet metal were just some of the dangerous trash that volunteers pulled out of the Kinchafoonee and Muckalee creeks and part of the Flint River a couple of weekends ago.

More than 100 folks gave up their time and energy for this hazardous clean up, organized by the Lee County Rivers Alive group. In the past, the group has pulled an engine block and a soft-drink vending machine out of Lee County’s creeks.

What an awful shame that irresponsible people would pollute our public waterways with these items that should be taken to the county dump.

In some cases, these items might even do a family some good, if they could be refurbished by Goodwill or the Salvation Army. We shouldn’t need people like the River Keeper, who step in to fix what some folks spoil, but as long as we have people who stoop as low as these polluters, the need is there.

We commend the selfless work that was freely given by the creek and river groups. The work you’re doing is not unnoticed. We appreciate you, and the earth does, too.

Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.