US states race to register voters

The two candidates will face-off again this week

US election officials in four swing states are reporting record numbers of new voters for next month's presidential election.

Monday was the deadline for voter registration in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Florida, and extra staff have been used to process applications.

Twelve other states also have a deadline on Monday. Others fall closer to election day itself.

The two candidates are running neck and neck and urging supporters to turn out.

In the largest marginal state, Florida, registration is said to be up 20%.

In Ohio - which polls suggest is one of the closest states - nearly 250,000 people have signed up.

Domestic issues

The BBC's Daniela Relph in Washington says that although registration campaigns generally begin a few months before an election, this time round they were up and running more than a year ago.

Independent groups have run high-profile projects stressing the importance of registering.

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Both the Republican and Democratic Parties have organised vote drives in areas where they expect most support.

However, our correspondent adds, election history shows that high registration does not always translate into high turnout.

On Monday both President George W Bush and his Democratic challenger John Kerry returned to domestic issues - which are set to be at the heart of much of their second debate to be held later this week.

Mr Bush signed legislation to extend tax relief for middle-class families as well as incentives for businesses, saying the law "comes at just the right time for America".

"Unless we acted, a family of four earning $40,000 would have seen their federal income taxes rise by more than $900," he said.

He held the ceremony in Iowa - a key battleground in this year's election and one that he lost narrowly in 2000.

Comeback

Mr Kerry was in New Hampshire - where he concentrated on health issues, restating his pledge to expand federal support for stem cell research.

"The hard truth is that when it comes to stem cell research, our president is sacrificing science for ideology and playing politics with people who need cures," he said.

Correspondents say Mr Kerry has been on a high amid a widespread feeling that he won the first debate - on foreign and security issues - with Mr Bush.

Opinion polls support that, and indicate Mr Kerry is bouncing back.

A survey published on Monday suggested Mr Bush and Mr Kerry were tied - a comeback for Mr Kerry who had been well behind before last Thursday's debate.

On Tuesday the vice-presidential candidates, Republican Dick Cheney and Democrat John Edwards, will also meet for a TV contest that is more keenly anticipated than most.