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Heavy voter turnout is the norm for Hanover County, according to Voter Registrar Robert M. Ostergren, who expects 95 percent turnout on Tuesday.

Last Wednesday, Ostergren said the number of registered voters in Hanover County was 67,835 as of Oct. 20.

He said absentee balloting is showing a marked increase, with “The State Board [of Elections] encouraging people to vote absentee.”

“I know we’re expecting a pretty heavy turnout. Hanover generally turns out pretty well anyway — at least for a presidential [election].”

Ostergren, who has been serving as the county’s voter registrar since April 1, 1987, said “It’s wearing us all out.”

He pointed out that his office had additional staff, “three more people than we normally have, but we have been busy — a lot of people are voting absentee.”

He did say that his office “is making sure we’re not missing anybody” and they had not encountered “any goofs.” He also noted “the sheer volume of stuff” they are handling.

With the race to the White House sharing the ballot with U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives candidates, there’s no doubt that the nation’s eyes will be focused on the hotly-contested office of president, which pits Democrat Barack Obama against Republican John McCain. The two serve as United States senators, representing Illinois and Arizona, respectively. Their running mates are U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., and Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska.

While the emphasis has been placed on Obama and McCain, four other political parties are represented on the ballot for president of the United States. The candidates for president and vice president are: Independent Green, Chuck Baldwin and Darrell Castle; Libertarian, Bob Barr and Wayne A. Root; Green, Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente; and Independent, Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez.

On the state level, two former governors — Democrat Mark R. Warner and Republican James S. “Jim” Gilmore III — are pursuing the U.S. Senate seat held for 30 years by Republican John Warner, who decided not to seek re-election. Independent Green candidate Glenda Gail Parker and Libertarian William B. Redpath also are trying to succeed Sen. Warner.

Also, Democrat Anita Hartke is challenging U.S. Rep. Eric I. Cantor for the 7th District seat the Republican has held since 2000.

Obama has already made history, as the first black to gain the nomination for president. McCain’s selection of Palin as his vice presidential running mate is only the second time a woman has been on the ballot for one of the nation’s top offices. Geraldine Ferraro ran with Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale in his successful 1984 bid.

Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Tuesday.