EDITORIAL: Close race projects potential voter turnout record this November

Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale made a wonderful prediction last week in Grand Island. Gale forecast that 75 percent of Nebraska's registered voters will go to the polls in November.

Gale believes there will be a record turnout of 800,000 Nebraskans, topping the 750,000 who voted in the 2004 presidential election.

The reason for Gale's optimism? It's the excitement generated by the presidential race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. Gale noted that this is the first year in which a sitting president or vice president hasn't run for president since 1952. That wide open aspect to the race has created more interest among voters, as did the contested primaries.

Gale backs up his prediction with the fact that registrations are up this year.

All of that is good for the country. Gale is right on target with his prediction. More interest in the election does seem to exist this year and polls indicate that the race is close.

In addition, Nebraskans have other reasons to go to the polls. There's the U.S. Senate race between Republican Mike Johanns and Democrat Scott Kleeb. There's the ban on affirmative action that seems to have garnered enough signatures to be on the ballot. And in many communities, including Grand Island and Hastings, residents will be voting on fluoride measures.

With the Democrats holding their convention this week in Denver and the Republicans meeting next week in St. Paul, Minn., Americans are also likely to start focusing more on the race now.

And that is a good idea as Sen. Chuck Hagel said last week, this may be one of the most important elections in the history of the country.

So all voters are urged to study the candidates and the issues. Inform and educate yourself. Pay attention to the messages the candidates are sending out during the next two weeks. Take the time to research the candidates yourself instead of just listening to commentators.

We hope that Gale is not only right with his record voter turnout prediction, but also that the most well-informed electorate ever goes to the polls.