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The Carroll County Board of Elections expects to see a record number of voters turning out to cast their ballots on Nov. 4.

For months, election watchers and political pundits have predicted that the economy, high gas prices and the war in Iraq would draw people to the polls in record numbers.

Election officials in Carroll County are making preparations to handle the anticipated turnout.

"Usually, Carroll County has a large turnout in a presidential election," said Gail Carter, the county's election director.

In the 2004 presidential election, the county had an 82 percent voter turnout.

"That was with an incumbent," said Carter, referring to the fact that this election could see a higher turnout because there is no incumbent candidate.

In 2004, incumbent President George W. Bush (R) faced Democrat John Kerry. This November, first-time nominees Sen. Barack Obama (D) will face Sen. John McCain (R) will face off for a seat the White House.

To prepare, the county is adding 30 election judges, in hope of having a total of 450 judges on Election Day, Carter said. They will add 97 more voting machines throughout the county and 20 more poll books.

The League of Women Voters of Carroll County is pleased that a high turnout is expected.

"That's what we want," said Carol Blackburn, president of the league and publisher emeritus of the Mount Airy edition of The Gazette. "Eighty-eight years ago, we [women] got the right to vote and that's been our main emphasis since."

To educate voters on county issues and about local candidates, the league is sponsoring two candidate forums. The first is with the two candidates in District 6 — Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R) of Buckeystown and former Frederick Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty (D). The forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday.

A second forum with the Carroll County Board of Education candidates will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Both will be held at the Community Media Center, 1301 Washington Road, Westminster, next to Westminster High School. The forums will be telecast live and repeated on Carroll Channel 19.

The Maryland Association of Election Officials, in which Carter serves as vice president, predicts a record number of voters not only in Carroll County, but throughout the state.

To make voting easier, the association is working with local election offices in hopes of avoiding long lines on Nov. 4.

"The local boards of elections are working with the State Board of Elections to acquire more voting machines and electronic poll books to accommodate the increased turnout," said Guy Mickley, the association's president, in a written statement. "We have a job to do and we'll be ready on Nov. 4."