With the crowded Democratic primary for mayor finally narrowed to two people, we can expect a frantic two weeks of campaigning as May 18 approaches.

Unless you judge from how quiet the first leg of the campaign was.

We’re hoping that subdued tone simply means candidates and voters were sticking to the issues &045;&045; jobs, infrastructure and recreation, among them &045;&045; rather than resorting to personal attacks or behind-the-scenes whisper campaigns.

We’d like to see the next two weeks &045;&045; and, for that matter, the lead-up to the general election &045;&045; conducted with such good manners. From where we sit, just about everyone &045;&045; from the mayor’s to the judge’s to the aldermen races &045;&045; ran clean campaigns that focused on what candidates could do for Natchez.

The higher than expected voter turnout &045;&045; just more than 50 percent &045;&045; tells us voters were listening to the candidates even during this quiet campaign season.

No one can predict just what will happen &045;&045; although those with mathematical talent are probably figuring the numbers from different precincts in a variety of ways.

The most important thing for registered voters to remember now is simply to show up for the rest of the election days. The primary runoff will be May 18. If you voted in the primary Tuesday, you need to vote for the same party again. But even if you didn’t vote Tuesday, you can still vote in the runoff. So far, the mayor’s race and judge’s race will be on that runoff ballot.

After that, the next day to vote is the June 8 general election.

Perhaps we can raise our voter turnout even higher, to give everyone a chance to participate in the process.