Palin phenomenon doesn’t register in Nevada, figures show

CARSON CITY -- If Sarah Palin's selection as the GOP's vice presidential candidate was seen as a boost to Republicans, it wasn't reflected in Nevada's voter registration numbers last month.

Figures released Wednesday by the secretary of state show Democrats in Nevada increased their registration advantage over Republicans by 18,961 voters in September, the first full month after Arizona Sen. John McCain picked Palin as his running mate.

Latest figures show Democrats now have an 80,666 registered voter advantage over Republicans, with 498,143 Democrats listed among active voters compared with 417,477 Republicans.

At the end of August, the Democratic advantage was 61,705. During September, Democrats added 39,266 voters compared with 20,305 additional Republicans.

Democrats have been beating Republicans in the registration game almost every month since the election in November 2006. At that time, Republicans had 6,998 more registered voters in the Silver State than Democrats.

In September, Democrats added even more voters in Carson City, where Palin visited Sept. 13 in her first appearance without McCain and drew 5,000 enthusiastic supporters.

At that appearance, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, who chairs the McCain-Palin campaign in Nevada, said the Alaska governor was generating so much excitement, it would lead to additional registration and a victory for their ticket in November.

Krolicki applauded Democrats for putting in the "elbow grease" needed to register so many new voters. But he added that the polls still show a close race between McCain and Barack Obama in Nevada.

"We have seen a Democrat surge in registration, but we have not seen it in the polls," Krolicki said. "A registration is not a vote. I believe Republicans who are registered voters will show up in November and support McCain-Palin."

Democrats added 419 voters in September in the capital city, compared with 345 additional Republicans.

State Democratic Party Chairman Sam Lieberman said the excitement for Palin faded with the news about the Wall Street meltdown and the declining economy.

"People talked about Sarah Palin for a while because it was a surprise pick, but now we have more important things to talk about," Lieberman said. "We need to stop talking about Sarah Palin and start talking about the issues that engage real Nevadans, like the economy, foreclosures and jobs."

Lieberman said he was confident the registration surge will lead to additional Democratic victories in the Legislature and help put Obama in the White House.

The increase in Democratic registration has been particularly significant in Washoe County, where Democrats trail Republicans in registration by 1,900 voters. Two years ago, Republicans had a 17,000-voter advantage in Washoe County.