CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - Election officials in Hamilton County say an influx of new residents has pushed the number of registered voters to an all-time high.

According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press (http://bit.ly/Su4w6H ), the nearly 220,000 residents now registered to vote is up 24% over 2004.

Officials say 15,000 new registrations have been processed since the 2008 presidential election and about 2,000 additional forms are being processed.

The deadline for registration is Oct. 8 in person and an Oct. 6 postmark if registering by mail. Early voting begins Oct. 17.

Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, http://www.timesfreepress.com

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