Topeka ? Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh on Thursday urged Kansans to register to vote and cast a ballot in what will be a historic election.

“Regardless of your political beliefs, it is important that your voice be heard,” Thornburgh said in a statement to kick off a voting initiative.

He said he expected a record voter turnout driven by the presidential election and contested races up and down the ballot.

A Web site, www.voteks.org, is aimed at helping Kansans to register to vote and find out about races in their areas.

In addition, the secretary of state’s office has launched voting-related public service announcements, some of which will run during the broadcast of the Kansas University-Kansas State University football game on Nov. 1.

The election is Nov. 4. The deadline to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 20. Citizens may register at the secretary of state’s office, their local election office, or by mailing a completed voter registration form available at www.voteks.org.

Approximately 1.7 million Kansans are registered to vote. Here is a comparison of registrations from 2004 to the present.

2008

Democratic: 466,061

Libertarian: 9,404

Reform: 1,328

Republican: 759,202

Unaffiliated: 460,570

Other: 2

TOTAL: 1,696,567

2004

Democratic: 454,478

Libertarian: 9,432

Reform: 2,278

Republican: 783,068

Unaffiliated: 445,109

TOTAL: 1,694,365