The race for governor is at the top of the Aug. 3 primary ballot, but below those names will be numerous other candidates for office whose election will have long-term effects on Michigan’s policies and people.

Judges, state senate and house positions, county commissioners and city and township leaders are all among the positions that will be on voters’ ballots. With the effect of redistricting and simply because some districts are more heavily tilted to one party or another, the primary vote – stuck in vacation season, perhaps the worst time of year for an election – is often more important than the November general election.

“This is one year where term limits are at there peak in Lansing, and there’s a lot of turnover among lawmakers,” said Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council President Patrick “Shorty” Gleason. “And with the way districts are set up, probably 80 percent of the races are going to be decided in the primary. So it’s important for our people to know who is going to support their best interests, and vote accordingly.”

Voter history statistics tell us that a small minority of voters will decide which candidates will face off on the November ballot. In the 2006 gubernatorial primary, only 16.9 percent of the voting age population cast a ballot. That was the lowest turnout since 1990, when 15.1 percent of the voting age population turned out to vote.

But in the 2006 general election, voter turnout in Michigan zoomed to 50.7 percent of the voting age population – the highest level since 1970.