The deadline to register to vote in Hawai'i is Monday, less than one month before a big Election Day that includes votes for president, three island mayors and a state constitutional convention.

Candidates' campaigns and political parties are working to sign people up to vote in hopes that more potential voters will result in more people at the polls.

About two dozen new voters registered to vote at Kanpai Bar and Grill this week during a two-hour event that featured beer, fried noodles and prawns. The event was organized by members of Ann Kobayashi's campaign for Honolulu mayor, but it was open to all and no Kobayashi campaign materials were visible.

"If they didn't have this event, I probably wouldn't have registered," said Joy Tengan, who recently moved to Hawai'i from San Francisco. "I've been following the news, so I do have someone I want to vote for."

Hawai'i had record low turnout of about 37 percent in its Sept. 20 primary election, but the Nov. 4 general election should generate more interest with Honolulu-born Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain on the ballot for president.

During Hawai'i's Democratic caucuses in February, Obama supporters formed long lines and overwhelmed caucus sites, ballooning the number of registered Democrats in the state from 22,000 to 51,000.

"This year more than ever, it's valuable that those who feel strongly about change turn out on Election Day," said Hawai'i Democratic Party Chairman Brian Schatz. "Turnout was abysmal in the primary. We are hopeful that we're going to see that trend turn around as a result of the enthusiasm for Senator Obama."

Any Hawai'i resident who is a U.S. citizen over 18 years old may register to vote. Currently registered voters who have changed their name or address since the last election should re-register.

Voter registration forms are available at post offices, libraries, the Office of Elections Web site, county clerks' offices and phone books.

Registration forms postmarked by Monday will be accepted, but elections officials are encouraging last-minute voters to turn in their papers in person to avoid the possibility of a mix-up.

The mayor's races will pit Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann against Kobayashi, attorney Billy Kenoi against Councilman Angel Pilago on the Big Island, and County Parks Director Bernard Carvalho Jr. against County Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura on Kaua'i.

There haven't been as many voter registration drives in Hawai'i, where Obama is favored to win, as on the Mainland because it's not a battleground state, said Andy Winer, chairman for the Obama's Hawai'i campaign.

Winer is more concerned with getting people to the polls on Election Day through e-mail, phone calls and door-to-door visits to those who showed up at the Democratic caucus.

"You'll see a significant increase in turnout," Winer said. "We believe Obama voters are coming out to say, 'We want change."'

There are about 682,000 registered voters in Hawai'i, which reflects a steady increase in each election since 2004.

Turnout was about 53 percent in 2006 and 67 percent in 2004, when Republican President Bush won a second term against Democrat John Kerry.