Annual elections for public office will be held Friday, March 2, at Hartland. Ballot clerks will appear as required by law at 10 a.m and remain until 8 p.m. But whether large numbers of voters respond to exercise their right to vote remains to be seen.

Lack of voter turnout is certainly not limited to Hartland. It is a problem becoming more prevalent in elections across the country.

In the 1989 annual Hartland elections, 107 regular ballots were cast, and six voters cast their ballots as absentees. The total represented roughly 10 percent of the town’s 1,025 registered voters. The percentage dropped sharply on the following Saturday, when 60 voters turned out for the annual town meeting. If absentee voting were permitted at town meetings, what would that do to the percentage of representation?

Voters making their way to the polls in Hartland this year may think that the ballots have been recycled from 1989. In fact, if Town Manager Peggy Morgan thought it would work, she might have given it a try.

Once again, Hartland voters will face an uncontested election — three incumbents, Ed Laughton, Sandra McNichol and Keith Bubar, seeking three selectmen’s posts. Erline Humphrey is also seeking to return as town clerk. Kenneth Dixon is another incumbent seeking re-election as a Hartland representative to the SAD 48 Board of Directors. These people have been commended for dedication to their town.

This will be the 14th year for Ed Laughton to seek re-election as the town’s first selectman. It appears he’s been doing something right and apparently likes doing it, too.

In a way, it could be viewed as a credit to Morgan’s administration — as well as to the incumbents — that there are no opponents.

On the other hand, although it seems that Hartland voters have little disagreement with their elected officials or with town government, it could be that no one else wants the job. And it is possible that even larger numbers don’t care who does the job, or how.

Numbers can tell many stories. What they will say about Hartland voters this year will be known by 8 p.m. Friday.