Positive and negative results almost look to have canceled each other out for Nov. 6 ballot

Want to know what happened in Tuesday’s primary election?
For now, let’s just say that for every positive result there was seemingly a negative one that followed.
Take the defeat of Don Blankenship for the GOP’s U.S. Senate nomination. That’s a positive.
After all, when President Trump cautioned against voting for him, you knew that he was a bad bet.
Some have already conveniently forgotten his “Go get ’em” support for an accused molester in Alabama’s U.S. Senate race. But apparently the president has learned a lesson — don’t stick with bad bets, even when they declare they are “Trumpier than Trump.”
However, that didn’t stop 27,406 West Virginians from voting for Blankenship, who captured 20 percent of the GOP’s vote.
Not to mention carrying four counties — Calhoun, Clay, Mingo and Roane.
We don’t have to look too far for negative results in Tuesday’s primary.
The abysmal voter turnout, about 23.7 percent, statewide, particularly sticks out, as does Monongalia County’s 19.8 percent. However, this midterm election’s state turnout did surpass 2014’s 19.7 percent.
And there were some bright spots elsewhere, too, including next door in Preston County, where 42.3 percent of voters cast a ballot.
However, about 3,897 of those voters in Preston have probably sunk a school system in a county that not so long ago looked to have learned some hard lessons, too.
The final tally in Preston’s school levy was razor thin but the impact of this vote, barring a miraculous recount, will be widespread. We are not ones to advocate for student walkouts, but it appears that many voters already walked out on their schools.
Though candidates we endorsed for school boards in Monongalia and Preston won, we almost feel we should be sending condolences to those in Preston.
Looking forward to the Nov. 6 general election, there are any number of positive races that will be on the ballot.
That’s not to imply the campaigns will be positive. Some party hacks were busy poisoning the water hours after Tuesday’s polls closed.
However, from county commission races to U.S. and state senate contests with House of Delegates and House of Representatives showdowns to boot, it won’t be dull.
There will be clear choices in many of these races, including in all three congressional districts, where women will be on one side of the ballot.
Campaigning for November won’t begin until after Labor Day but the races are already on.
No one can predict what will happen 180 days from now, but it’s never too early to become an informed voter.