EUGENE (AP) — Oregon ranked third nationally for the percentage of those registered to vote who cast ballots in the November 2008 election.

The Oregon secretary of state said Friday that 85.67 percent of the 2.15 million registered voters mailed in their ballots, or 1.84 million voters.

Secretary of State Bill Bradbury said turnout higher than 85 percent is outstanding.

Officials say the intense interest in the presidential race won by Barack Obama helped boost numbers.

Democrats, in particular, organized enormous voter registration drives during the spring primaries that targeted young voters.

Oregon also had several controversial ballot measures and a hotly contested U.S. Senate race that boosted turnout.