Firm predictions about voter turnout for the Nov. 4 presidential election are still premature, but officials -- citing record-breaking registration numbers -- warned Tuesday to expect long lines at the polls.
"We need to prepare the public that there could be lines. They need to be patient," said Jim Montini, director of the Westmoreland County Elections Bureau.
Montini advised voters to allow additional time to vote, citing unprecedented interest generated by the presidential race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.
If voter registration tallies are an indication, local elections officials suggested turnout will as high as 70 percent in some counties.
Allegheny, Westmoreland and Fayette counties are expecting to top all-time highs for voter registration.
As of Sept. 4, voter registration was at 928,358, according to Diane Boscia, manager of voter registration in Allegheny County. And that number is still growing.
"We have people working overtime," Boscia said.
Montini said Westmoreland County's totals as of last week had reached about 245,000, well on the way to topping the record of 252,000, reached in 2004.
Laurie Lint, elections bureau director in Fayette County, said registration has increased by more than 5,000 voters since the spring and now stands at 94,400, the most ever for the county.
"They're still coming in. We've had quite a few registration drives," Lint said.
In Indiana County, voter registration stands just under 55,000 and is continuing to increase as students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania register and drive up the totals.
Indiana Elections Bureau Director Debbie Streams said she has seen more students this year who want to vote in person rather than voting with absentee ballots issued through their home counties.
"It just means there will be very long lines, especially at IUP," Streams said.
Registration totals are expected to increase, the election directors reported.
County elections bureaus will accept new registrations through Oct. 6.
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