This year?s presidential race and local races have attracted an enormous voter interest in Connecticut.

Connecticut officials say a record number of citizens have registered to vote and they are expecting a near-record voter turnout on Election Day. State election officials say they are expecting as many as 90 percent of voters to cast ballots.

According to election officials, the turnout was close to 80 percent in 2000 and 2004.

Election officials say they anticipated a high turnout and are prepared for the influx of voters. Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz says the state hired more poll workers, increased security to prevent fraud and mounted educational campaigns to teach voters about new technologies.

According to election officials, if someone is not registered to vote, they can still cast a ballot in the presidential election. Special ballots will be available at town clerks? offices across the state on Nov. 4.

Conn.voters scurry to make registration deadlineNews12 Connecticut - Election '08