Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Exciting races apt to lure record turnout Date: Tue, 3 Nov 92 15:19:55 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN;VOTE '92 \HD Exciting races apt to lure record turnout \BY Jim Clardy \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES The closest White House race in recent years and several controversial ballot questions - including those on abortion and the death penalty - have led record numbers of voters to register or cast absentee ballots this year, local election officials said. They expect that trend to continue today in the form of heavy turnout, as anxious voters decide those issues and fill local elective offices. "Like the rest of the country, everybody here is excited about this presidential election. There's a feeling that the economy is hurting them and that if they don't vote this year they do so at their own peril," said Fairfax County General Registrar Monica Horan. Robert Antonetti, administrator of the Prince George's County Board of Elections, expects as many as 80 percent of the county's 318,506 voters to vote today. He said about 10,000 people have cast absentee ballots in the county this year compared with about 8,000 in most years. "I think all hell is going to break out," Mr. Antonetti said. "We have enough issues to keep people busy." Mr. Antonetti also pointed to the dramatic increase in the county's voter rolls this year, up to 318,000 from last year's registration of about 269,000 voters. Besides school board and congressional races, voters in Montgomery and Prince George's counties will also weigh proposed county tax limits and a state measure that would guarantee a woman's abortion rights. Local congressional races have featured strong doses of Washington bashing as both incumbents and challengers stumped as agents of change. Voter anger at Capitol Hill scandals and government gridlock should also lead to higher-than-usual turnout, according to local analysts. "The independent candidacy of Ross Perot has produced a lot more voter interest in the election this year, primarily at the presidential level," said Mark Rozell, a political scientist at Mary Washington College. District residents are expected to turn out in large numbers for a ballot question that would reimpose the death penalty in the city for convicted murderers. But elections officials said voters in the heavily Democratic city also appear motivated by the possibility that their party could reclaim the White House after 12 years of Republican presidents. "There's an excitement about the presidential contest. . . . People are highly motivated this time to get out and vote," said Leona Agouridis, a spokeswoman for the D.C. Board of Elections. In Virginia, a record 3 million voters are registered and most analysts are predicting turnout will exceed the 77.6 percent figure of four years ago. Voter interest in Virginia is being sparked by congressional races in the new 11th District and in the 8th District where candidates have felt free to sling mud. Both parties have intensified their traditional get-out-the-vote efforts in Virginia, which pollsters have said may go for a Democratic presidential nominee for only the third time in 44 years. Also on the statewide ballot is a $613 million bond referendum for schools, parks and mental health facilities and a constitutional amendment requiring the state to set aside excess revenues to balance the budget in lean years. "Our phones have been ringing off the hook as never before. We're expecting a huge voter turnout," said Charlotte Cleary of the Arlington County Board Registrar of Voters. She said county voters showing up at the polls today "should be prepared to wait, but it's worth it. Democracy is worth waiting for." The weather is not expected to affect today's balloting. The National Weather Service said skies should clear and temperatures could climb into the high 60s. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM