Those were the days.

For voters.

Or were they?

Perched on the sidelines, observing City Hall’s jubilation because 23 percent of registered voters participated in this week’s City Council election, data maven George Laase reported that Culver City has done better.

Yes, the voter turnout was 9 percent higher than for the last Council race two years ago, a commendable effort.

For which Tuesday’s winners – incumbent Meghan Sahli-Wells, Thomas Small and Goran Eriksson – say thank you.

However, the turnout was not a record, Mr. Laase notes.

That distinction belongs to the 2005 School Board election, says our expert.

Three seats were at stake, and only four persons were running.

*Jessica Beagles-Roos  –5,117  —  25.05 percent

Brian Block ——————4,783  —  23.41percent

* Saundra Davis ————–5,532  —  27.08 percent

*Dana Russell —————4,997  —   24.46 percent

* Indicates incumbent.

“In 2005,” Mr. Laase reports, “there were more than 12,000 ballots, and more than 20,000 votes cast in that election.

“Makes this election’s 5,681 and 10,557 votes seem puny in comparison, doesn’t it?”