San Diego County had 1.478 million registered voters at the end of September—9,202 short of the figure in the 2008 presidential election.
A chance also exists for 2012 to beat the 2004 record figure of 1.51 million. And county Registrar of Voters Deborah Seiler told KPBS this month that she expected 1.5 million to be registered before Monday’s deadline.
Monday at midnight is the last time to register to vote Nov. 6, county officials reminded Friday.
In 2008, when the Obama ticket beat the McCain ticket in San Diego County 54 percent to 43.8 percent, 1.24 million county residents voted—or 83.72 percent.
The Obama-Romney race looks to be closer this year, so voter-registration efforts by all parties could boost the county figures to a record level.
Anyone who is not currently registered, recently has moved or who recently has changed his or her name needs to register, according to Seiler.
Those who are unsure if they are registered can check at sdvote.com, where online registration forms and other election information can be obtained.
With online registration, the California Department of Motor Vehicles can confirm a voter's signature. If his or her signature is confirmed, the registration form automatically will be sent to the Registrar of Voters Office.
If not, forms need to be printed, signed and mailed to or dropped off at the Registrar of Voters office, Seiler said.
Registration forms also are available at the Registrar of Voters office at 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite I, and at U.S. Post Offices, public libraries, city clerk offices and DMV offices.
Election materials are available in Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese, as well as English.
Registration forms must be postmarked or delivered to the Registrar of Voters office no later than Monday. The Registrar's office will remain open until midnight the day of the deadline, county officials said.
—City News Service contributed to this report.
