News 12 at 6 o’clock, October 6, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---Time is up. Voter registration is officially closed in Georgia. We take a closer look at the record numbers.

One by one people streamed in on the last day to register to vote.

"We have a very important election coming up,” said voter Joan Priester. “Everybody who has a voice must vote."

"If you can't stand…bring a chair…sit,” said Joan. “Make sure you get out to vote."

Between people coming to register to vote and people voting early there were hundreds who lined up throughout the day. A record 100,000 people have registered as of October 1, 2008. The board of elections has had to bring in a little help."

"Oh goodness yes,” said Lynn Bailey who is director of the Richmond County Board of Elections. “We've been hiring extra people for the last couple of weeks.”

People like Joan aren't coming alone. They're also bringing new voters.

"I’m a caregiver,” said Joan. “I made sure this lady came out. She wanted to make sure she could vote. She hadn't voted in two years, but she is going to vote in this election."

The Georgia Secretary of State breaks things down by race and sex. Voter registration is up from 2004 to 2008 by almost 20,000 amongst Black males. It’s up about 16,000 amongst Black females.

"I don't care how long the line is,” said Joan. “I don't care how long the wait is it is."

The Secretary of State's office suggests the numbers are down amongst White males and females…16,000 and 12,000 respectively.

"Vote and then you can't complain about what happens," said Donna Henderson who put everything in perspective.

"We're all Americans and that's what counts.”

There were two top age groups. One group was those between the ages of 18 and 24. That group accounted for more than 14,000 people registered to vote. The other group was those who were 65 and over. That group accounted for more than 16,000 people registered.