Voter engagement higher than usual in 2008

The survey found that more than 7 in 10 voters are highly engaged in the process, more so than at any point in the winter and spring of the 2000 and 2004 elections, Gallup said Wednesday in a release.

While Democrats and Republicans appear equally interested in the election, the poll found that Democrats are more enthusiastic about their particular set of candidates running this year.

Gallup attributed the increased interest to the early start of the primaries and caucuses, the lack of an incumbent president or vice president in the race and "perhaps the presence of a unique set of candidates who have captured the imagination of the American public," the firm said.

The results are based on telephone interviews last week with 2,020 adults aged 18 and older. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 points.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International