Registration of new voters is at an all time high, from approximately 200,000 in 1986 to 284,000 as of August 30, with more anticipated by the close of registration on October 6. Election officials in this border community expect to reach 300,000 registered voters for the first time by the deadline.
It is the biggest influx of new voters in recent memory, up 18,000 since the spring primary and up 74,000 since the 1992 general election. The increase is being attributed to several factors including a jump in the naturalization of long time resident immigrants, more registration drives and the national Voter Registration Act which makes it easier for citizens to register to vote.
Source: El Paso Times