The voter registration deadline has passed and county officials in our region report an increase in voter registration.

Knott County is just one of several counties across Kentucky that's seen an increase in voter registration.

Knott County Clerk Ken Gayheart says they've registered 65 people to vote in just the last couple of weeks. He says only around 14 percent of Knott Countians voted last year, but he expects a much larger turnout this year.

"With all the fuel prices, the food prices, the bank bailout, it's affecting people personally. And I think people are really getting interested and getting involved in the election process," Knott County Clerk Ken Gayheart said.

"I think it's a very important role you play in your community to vote and decide on who you want to run your country," Kevin Watson of Knott County said.

"It's my right to decide who I want to vote in," Marlene Thornsbeary of Knott County said.

Knott isn't the only county seeing an increase. State officials say counties across the Commonwealth registered voters at a record pace.

"The combination of a presidential election with some major issues on the table and the most expensive U.S. Senate race in Kentucky history, really leads to a perfect recipe for increased registration and turnout," Assistant Deputy Secretary of State Les Fugate said.

Fugate says they won't know final registration results for at least another week.

Election Day is less than a month away, on Tuesday November 4th.