Election Day should be a cause of celebration.

It’s an opportunity for Americans to make choices that determine the fate and future of their towns, counties, states and nation. So why is an increasingly larger percentage of Wyoming residents passing up on this right and privilege?

Only 46 percent of state residents who are registered to vote did so on Aug. 19, according to the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office. If you look at all people eligible to vote, only 27 percent bothered to invest a few minutes in helping set the course of government this summer.

The number was slightly better in Park County in August, as 50.8 percent of registered voters went to the polls.

What’s truly sad is the fact that only 58 percent of the people eligible to take part in elections are registered to vote, based on the primary results.

It didn’t used to be this way. In 1992, the high-water mark of political involvement in the state, 73 percent of eligible voters were registered to vote. From 1978-98, the number hovered around 70 percent. But then it started to head in the wrong direction, dropping into the mid- to low 60s and then to just 56 percent for the 2012 election.

State Election Director Peggy Nighswonger said there’s no doubt interest in elections is trending down.

“I don’t think it’s only our state,” she said.

Nighswonger said the fact that Wyoming leans so heavily Republican takes the suspense out of campaigns. That may explain the decline, she said.

Nighswonger did not want to offer a prediction on turnout today (Tuesday). But she said compelling and close races drive voters to the polls. The contest for state superintendent of public instruction may be the most-watched race this year, but local contests also fuel larger turnouts.

About 12,000 Wyoming voters cast early ballots, about 5 percent of registered voters, and hundreds most likely voted on Monday, hoping to avoid long lines and delays today, Nighswonger said.

But the unpleasant truth is, many people will skip this election entirely.

According to FairVote.org, the USA is far behind other nations when it comes to voting, with about 60 percent of the voting eligible population voting during presidential election years, and about 40 percent voting during midterm elections, such as today’s election.

“Voter turnout in the United States fluctuates in national elections, but has never risen to levels of most other well-established democracies,” FairVote.org states on its website. “In countries with compulsory voting, like Australia, Belgium, and Chile, voter turnout hovered near 90 percent in the 2000s. Other countries, like Austria, Sweden, and Italy, experienced turnout rates near 80 percent.”

The website offers several possible solutions. The one we most agree with is allowing people to register to vote on Election Day. Thankfully, Wyoming already permits that.

So if you’re reading this, finish the rest of the paper and head to the polls. If you’re not registered, take a minute or two and correct that.

There is a Powell City Council race for Ward 3 voters, and several other local and state contests. Play your part and make your voice heard.

That is indeed a reason to celebrate and to participate.