November election looks to be a snooze

Give the County Commission credit for trying to grab your attention on National Voter Registration Day.

Commissioners Steve Sisolak and Larry Brown on Tuesday announced the county’s effort to try to grow and get out the vote in the upcoming election with a series of public service announcements featuring everyone from Lady Gaga and Britney Spears to “Pawn Stars” broker Rick Harrison and Michael Jackson impersonator Jason Jarrett.

It probably won’t work, but perhaps nothing short of the return of Sinatra and Elvis would do the trick in an off year.

The pathetic primary turnout alarmed even the most cynical campaign watchers. Just 19.25 percent of registered voters cast ballots statewide, the third worst assembly in Nevada history. Clark County was worse: Only 15.8 percent of voters bothered, the second lowest figure on record.

The fact Gov. Brian Sandoval failed to draw a viable opponent from the Democrats is stated as an obvious reason for the general lack of interest, but after watching lawmakers from both parties stand in unison on behalf of the recent Tesla session of the state Legislature, the public would be forgiven for thinking there’s not much difference between the sides these days. If Sandoval decides to take a victory lap on Election Day, it will no doubt be in a Muskmobile.

Debates don’t appear to matter all that much this year, either. Several Republican candidates are ducking them as part of a campaign strategy. Which is interesting, because most of the public also ducks debates.

Perhaps attorney general candidate Adam Laxalt should have taken a lesson from that playbook. His recent Nevada Press Association debate against opponent Ross Miller in the battle of the legendary political surnames didn’t go well. But the fact we’re discussing it is telling: The election season is so soft that a quarrelsome race for attorney general is making headlines.

The competition between Rep. Joe Heck and Erin Bilbray in District 3 held the promise of a bitter battle, but of late it appears to have degraded into a competition to show who has the cutest, most loving and loyal kids. There’s still time to turn up the vitriol — as long as voters haven’t tuned out the race entirely.

What would have been wickedly entertaining is to see members of a candidate’s own family throw their support behind an opponent, but what are the chances of that? Almost forgot: Laxalt and judicial candidate Jacob Hafter.

With two qualified candidates, the race for Clark County sheriff appeared a natural for a genuine philosophical debate over Metro’s policies and procedures. But Assistant Sheriff Joe Lombardo and retired Capt. Larry Burns have played like officers and gentlemen. They’re so well-spoken, I can hardly stand it.

Let’s talk experience. Let’s talk issues.

“Let’s talk quietly,” the candidates say.

The voters reply, “Let’s talk later.”

Even ballot questions that ought to be producing fireworks appear to have fizzled. Margins tax Question 3 is opposed by most elected officials in both parties, business, industry and almost everyone else outside the front office of the teachers union. Question 1, which calls for the creation of an appeals court, isn’t even strongly opposed by die-hard conservatives who can’t sleep at night because government is too big.

Will even 20 percent of registered voters leave the comfort of home to cast their ballots? Will Lady Gaga and Britney Spears turn apathy into anticipation?

Will the encouragement of a celebrity pawnbroker make all the difference?

And if it does, does that say anything comforting about the shape we’re in as a society?

Early voting starts Oct. 18. Election Day is Nov. 4. You can participate if you want to, but chances are you won’t.

Lady Gaga has her work cut out for her.

John L. Smith’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. E-mail him at jsmith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295.