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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The tsunami of voters to the polls looks like it will continue to sweep through states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Indiana.
In fact, more than a half a million people are either newly registered or have switched their registrations so they can weigh in on the Democratic primaries in those 3 states.
This shouldn't come as much of a surprise when you consider the tremendous interest generated by the race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Record voter registration and turnouts – particularly on the Democratic side – are what we've been seeing all along since the Iowa caucuses.
In Pennsylvania, where only registered Democrats can vote next Tuesday, more than 300,000 people have completed new registrations or switched to vote Democrat since the first of the year.
North Carolina, whose May 6th primary is open to Democrats and unaffiliated voters, has at least 122,000 people who are newly registered. And there could be even more new voters since a "same-day registration" law there lets people register and vote early between April 17th and May 3rd.
As for Indiana, its primary also on May 6th is open to all voters, and about 150,000 new ones have signed up since January 1st.
One expert on voting trends tells The Boston Globe that all this interest in the primary season quote "is an indication that we're going to see a very high turnout rate in the general election, perhaps as high as we haven't seen in a century in American politics."
But others question whether all the excitement will last and if new voters will remain engaged in politics after this presidential election.
Here’s my question to you: How does your interest in the 2008 elections compare to past elections?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Olga from Ontario writes:
This race between the Democrats is so exciting and it’s good to see the young people getting involved. Obama has instilled this and I think it’s a good thing for the country. My husband and I can't wait to get home to click on CNN to watch what has taken place all day. I agree with the other Canadian comments: if Obma doesn't win, we would love to have him in our county.
Mabel from Georgia writes:
This is the most interesting election in my lifetime. The non-issue becomes an issue and the graft that is done goes away with the next news headline. We never visit the storyline for any length of time. We have people making excuses for why they do not like the black guy. Saturday Night Live makes fun of them all. There is never a dull moment.
Nancy writes:
Jack, Your question makes me think about one of my favorite bumper stickers: "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!" I would hope everyone's engaged! I'm an ardent Obama supporter ... "bitter" about what the Bush administration has done to our country and "clinging" to the ideals of this nation. I have to believe that there are better days ahead!
R.C. from Philadelphia writes:
At the age of 28, this is only the third presidential election I have had the privilege to vote in. After the blunder in 2000 and the weak Democratic presidential candidate in 2004, this is a very important election to me, so I have been paying close attention.
Joe from St. Louis, Missouri writes:
I am in this to stop the lunatic Republicans. I hope to see jobs for Americans again. That is how your parents were able to raise you.
Tim writes:
I hope my vote will keep the whiskey-drinking, bullet-dodging and pantsuit-wearing princess out of the most important office in the world. Things are bad enough as it is.