Seven in 10 registered voters in Montour, Snyder and Union counties did not participate in general elections in 2001 and 2005.

Northumberland County was slightly lower, with six in 10 avoiding the polls.

Every four years, a general election is held in which Pennsylvanians do not cast ballots for a president, a U.S. representative or senator, a state representative or senator, a governor or county commissioners.

An election of that type was held in 2001. And in 2005.

And come Tuesday, in 2009.

Call it the odd-year, off-year election — as contrasted with an odd-year, on-year election, in which, at least, county commissioner races are held.

“There just isn’t any enthusiasm in nonpresidential years,” said Susan Travis, president of the League of Women Voters of Lewisburg.

An average of 68 percent of registered Valley voters went to the polls during last November’s presidential race.

Compare that with 2005, an odd-year, off-year election, in which only 13 percent of registered voters in Montour County cast ballots.

“People just don’t recognize the importance to their local area,” Travis said. “Local elections have a greater impact (than national contests) on their lives, but people just don’t recognize it.”

Making matters worse Tuesday is the dearth of contested races for school boards and municipal offices in the Valley. Some races have no candidates at all.

Unfortunately, Travis said with a sigh, there are no easy solutions.

“In some (countries), voting is required,” she said, “and people take it very seriously. In the U.S., people think of it as a matter of freedom, their freedom to choose. ‘I have the freedom, and I choose not to vote.’”

The National League of Women Voters has championed voter registration drives and encourages its members to get citizens to the polls.

“But,” Travis said, “it doesn’t seem to move people.”