We have local elections in the UK, and look how poorly represented they are, both in terms of quality of candidate and turnout.
Is that not because in reality local councillors don't actually have a great deal of power in the UK and just follow the party policy. The public know this and generally are apathetic as any change at a local level probably won't make much difference.

But even then, we struggle to turn out in significant numbers even for a General Election.
I would say when there is a clear choice between the candidates you get greater turnouts, when it is unclear what the differences are between the parties policies you get lesser turnout because people don't feel they are being given a choice, and also they don't have anything to strongly vote against.