Topeka ? Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh sees a “perfect storm” brewing for Election Day, and that’s a good thing, he said.

A record 1.29 million voters will cast ballots in Kansas, Thornburgh predicted Thursday, or about 76 percent of the state’s registered voters.

“From the courthouse to the White House, Kansans’ voices are going to be heard,” Thornburgh said.

He said interest in voting was being driven by an exciting presidential race, numerous contested legislative contests, special ballot questions in large counties, and intensive get-out-the-vote efforts.

Voters in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, along with Jackson and Clay County voters in Missouri, will decide the question of whether to impose a quarter-cent sales tax to pay for renovation of Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums and arts projects.

In Sedgwick County, voters will be asked whether to approve a 1-cent sales tax for a new arena.

About 100,000 Kansans have registered to vote since the August party primaries, Thornburgh said, and young voters seem to be particularly engaged this election season because of the war in Iraq.

In addition, Kids Voting Kansas, a program that teaches youngsters about voting, has grown to 230,000 participants from 20,000 since 2000. Thornburgh said adult turnout increased from 3 percent to 5 percent for parents of children in the program.

“All of these components will result in a record number of voters going to the polls on Election Day,” he said.

In Douglas County, election officials have reported a 23 percent increase in registered voters compared with 2000.

Voter registration up 23 percent since 2000 (10-28-04) Voter’s Guide More in Election 2004

There are 65,181 registered voters in the county, up from 52,838 in 2000 and 55,010 in 2002.

Douglas County’s breakdown of registered voters includes:

• 22,648 Republicans.
• 20,167 Democrats.
• 21,718 unaffiliated.
• 570 Libertarian.
• 78 Reform Party.

Statewide there are:

• 779,687 Republicans.
• 453,039 Democrats.
• 443,487 unaffiliated.
• 9,399 Libertarian.
• 2,285 Reform Party.

Thornburgh said some voters might have to wait in line at polling place on Election Day, and he asked that everyone have patience.

“A great day lies ahead for us next Tuesday,” he said.

As of Thursday, there were 1,687,896 registered voters in Kansas. Some counties still had not reported their final tallies, so the number is expected to climb to about 1,695,000, Thornburgh said.

A 76 percent turnout would be higher than the last presidential election, when 66.7 percent of registered voters cast ballots.

But it would be lower than several past presidential elections, such as 85 percent in 1992 and 78.4 percent in 1988.