Americans are notoriously apathetic when it becomes time to vote, a failing which curls the mouth of the machine politician into a broad smile, Perhaps the trouble lies in reasoning that one vote counts little: I wont' vote for X, reasons the stay-at-home, and Jones won't vote for Y; we cancel each other out. But while stay-at-home and Jones are listening for election returns, wellcoached interest groups are punching away in the voting booths, grinding out a victory over the disinterested.

But a large turnout can cause susrprising and pleasing results; the national election in Japan Wednesday is a good example. Dopesters, figuring on a lower percentage of voters, decided the Communists would lose some seats in the Diet but would still be a factor. Every Communist voter was certain to cast a ballot, while some Liberals always miss the election. Actually, 76 percent of the eligible population voted, and all the Communists got was a sandal-print on their backs. Contrast this to the 57 percent showing in the last American election.

The Japanese election is by the way of a convincer to Massachusetts voters to registser today for the November elections. Tonight at 10 o'clock Massachusetts registration ends, and for every stay-at-home there will be one more grinning machine man.