Voter registrations zooming

Net increase this year up sharply over period in 2004

By Tracee M. Herbaugh, Rocky Mountain News , Myung Oak Kim, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 24, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Photo by Brian Lehmann / The Rocky

While tying her roller skates, Jess Steinitz, 24, listens to Carrie Jackson, 27, outside the Boulder Theatre on Wednesday. The two and Joe Cooper, 25, work for New Era, a nonprofit that recruits new voters. New Era believes the skates get people's attention.

Tens of thousands of new Colorado voters have signed up since the start of the year, lured by aggressive registration drives, excitement over the presidential race and an election season that began earlier than most.

Since Jan. 1, more than 160,000 people registered to vote in 10 counties that represent about 80 percent of voters statewide, according to figures provided Wednesday by county clerks and the secretary of state.

Statewide, the net increase this year - taking into account new voters as well as those who died, moved or otherwise fell off the rolls - is more than 104,000. That's almost four times the number from the same period during the last presidential election year in 2004, according to the secretary of state's office.

"The excitement behind the election is something I've never seen before," said Stephen Fenberg, executive director of New Era Colorado, one of more than 200 groups and individuals registered with the secretary of state to sign up new voters.

"Everybody is aware of what's going on."

Election observers and political leaders say voter registration drives typically go into high gear in September and October. But this year is different, in part because of drives started last winter in anticipation of the February caucuses, which drew record crowds.

"Everything is happening earlier now," said Pat Waak, state Democratic Party chairwoman.

It's normal for voter rolls to increase during presidential election years, then slump during off years. But Waak said interest this year is unusually high.

"We're seeing even a bigger drive this year . . . and we're trying to take advantage of that," Waak said.

Republicans also are seeing a surge in political enthusiasm.

"There are hundreds of people who are extremely excited about politics who have never been excited before," said Nathan Fisk, executive director of the El Paso County Republicans, the largest county GOP party in the state.

Fisk said young voters and seniors are very engaged.

"The veterans in this community, the young people, young professionals . . . are really driving this election right now."

Angelo Swagerty, 25, works at a stand at Coors Field and recently signed up to vote.

"I decided to register so I can help make a better life for my children," he said. "I have four little girls that I need to take care of and I believe the best way to make a better place for them is to learn and take part in voting."

Angela Baty, 18, of Aurora, signed up to vote in January at the Community College of Aurora campus, where she takes classes.

"I was just so excited to be able to vote and to vote in this election," she said. "We're making history. I don't like the way our government is being run. I'm excited to put my 2 cents in to make a change."

County clerks have been preparing for record turnout - some predicting 95 percent turnout - for the Nov. 4 general election.

Douglas County Clerk Jack Arrowsmith said the rising number of voters brings many challenges to elections officials.

"We need more equipment. We need more election judges. We need more of everything as the size of the election grows," he said.

Like other clerks, Arrowsmith predicts even more voters will sign up closer to November.

Josh Liss, deputy of elections for Jefferson County, said he expects to see 20,000 to 40,000 new registrations between now and the Oct. 6 registration deadline.

"Everybody gets excited for a presidential election."

kimm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2361

Swelling the rolls

Presidential politics and organized registration drives have swelled voter rolls in Colorado. Here are the numbers of new voters in 10 counties since Jan. 1.

County New voters

* Adams 15,064

* Arapahoe 25,237

* Boulder 10,667

* Denver 33,690

* Douglas 11,804

* El Paso 21,690

* Jefferson 20,179

* Larimer 10,536

* Pueblo 4,456

* Weld 7,779

Total 161,102

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