The number of registered voters in Douglas County is up 23 percent — or 12,343 voters — compared with 2000.

The Douglas County Clerk’s office reported 65,181 registered voters Wednesday. The number could change slightly between now and Tuesday because some people on the rolls may have moved or died. But all registration applications have been entered.

Election officials said it was difficult to say what all contributed to the increase. The increase, in part, is because of a growing population.

“But I also think there’s a lot of interest in this election,” said county elections deputy Marni Penrod.

In 2000, the county had 52,838 registered voters at the time of the election. The number of eligible voters in 2002’s general election was 55,010 voters.

Kansas Secretary of the State Ron Thornburgh is slated to present statewide voter registration totals and voter turnout projections today during a news conference.

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