Voter Registrations at 'Record' Levels

Tens of thousands of sample ballots for the Nov. 6 general election will be mailed tomorrow by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters' Office, which is expecting a record number of people to be registered to vote countywide.

More than 890,000 sample ballots and information pamphlets will be sent
out to voters over the next week, followed a week later by absentee ballots for
those who have applied to receive them.

Registrar of Voters Kari Verjil told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday
that she anticipates a "record-breaking'' 900,000-plus county residents to
be registered for the presidential election.

"That will mean ballot counting may take longer than in previous
elections,'' Verjil said, without specifying how long.  "More voters who cast
vote-by-mail ballots helps our process because we can start counting those
ballots (seven business) days before the election.''

In the Nov. 4, 2008, presidential election, 32 percent of registered
voters in the county voted by absentee ballot, while 45 percent turned out at
the polls. A total 657,005 of eligible voters cast ballots -- a 78 percent
participation rate, according to the registrar's office.

"Our expectations are for a high level of voter participation,'' Verjil
told the board.

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 22. The last day to submit a
request for a VBM ballot is Oct. 30, though it was recommended that anyone who doesn't mail their ballot by Oct. 31 drop it at the registrar's headquarters at 2724 Gateway Drive in Riverside.

Early voting will be available at select malls throughout the county
beginning Oct. 26, according to Verjil.

Residents with questions about registration, where to vote or how to
apply for an absentee ballot were encouraged to check the registrar's website,
or phone (951) 486-7200.