High turnout expected in Nov 2 US polls

The National Association of Secretaries of State (Nass), organisation of the state officials responsible for keeping voter registration lists, reports "record-breaking numbers" in all regions of the country.

In Florida, where a bitter recount in 2000 delayed the official results by 36 days before giving George W. Bush a razor-thin win over Al Gore, there has been a surge in registrations. As of August 2, they stood at 9.7 million; one million more than in 2000, according to the secretary of state's office.

This year, Florida is one of the states in hottest contention, with Bush and Democrat John Kerry virtually neck and neck.

In New Mexico, which narrowly went Democratic in 2000, 10 percent of the electorate will be new voters this year, said NASS spokeswoman Meredith Imwalle.