I always vote. I could say it's because I am a responsible citizen who believes wholeheartedly in the democratic process, but I'd be lying.

It probably has more to do with being naturally contrary. Voting is the one sure way in Utah to prove you're different. Almost nobody around here does it.

On Tuesday, voter turnout in Salt Lake County was only 18 percent of registered voters. That's pathetic given the fact that most eligible voters don't even bother to register.

Last year, the "Behind State" had the lowest voter turnout in America. Demographically, Utahns made it to the polls in numbers just ahead of death-row inmates and right behind squirrels.

It's ironic considering how big Mormons are on voting. LDS women were the first women to vote in the United States (1869). In 1933, Utah was the 36th (and deciding) state to vote in favor of the 21st Amendment, which ended prohibition.

Mormons also vote a lot in church. Nearly every Sunday, we're asked to vote on someone's new church job.

Bishop: "All those who can support/sustain Brother Flapsaddle in his new calling as assistant ward coot, please do so by a show of hands."

Congregation: (Hold up hands.)

Bishop:"Any opposed?"

Congregation: (Cricket noises.)

Clearly, it's not a real vote. We've been doing this in church for so long that the congregation raises its hands automatically, including -- and I've seen them -- little kids and people

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who are sound asleep.

Besides, casting a vote of opposition does no good. I've tried. Earlier this year, I voted against my neighbor Sheldon Woods when he was called as the new High Priest Group leader. Here's what happened: nothing.

Mormons should be ashamed of themselves. Voting is a fundamental tenet of our theology. We've been doing since before we were born.

According to LDS theology, God's spirit children were asked to choose between two distinctively different plans of salvation offered by Jesus and Satan. Call them Prop J and Prop S.

Prop J offered free will. The Lord would persuade people to obey God. Returning to heaven was entirely voluntary, for which God would get all the glory.

Prop S called for mandatory obedience. Everyone would go to heaven because we wouldn't have a choice. Conversely, the devil would get all credit.

Turnout was understandably heavy. Thirty-three percent opted for Prop S. They were summarily kicked out of God's presence. Everyone else -- including you and me -- reportedly went with Prop J. That's why we're here.

I wonder. With its attendant suffering, pain, mistakes and tough love, free will does not sound like the sort of political platform I would have supported. I see myself more as a get-dragged-there kind of a guy. Maybe I wasn't registered.

I won't make the same mistake again. Today, I vote every chance I get.

Robert Kirby can be reached at rkirby@sltrib.com.