(McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Virginia's voter turnout set a record in the 2008 presidential election, but for all the attention given to this battleground state, the percentage was not much higher than in 2004.

Some registrars predicted that turnout would top 80 percent, but ultimately, 74 percent of Virginia's voters cast ballots, up from 71 percent four years ago.

Democrats speculated that stories about long waits to vote may have discouraged some people from casting ballots. Election observers expected long lines when the polls closed at 7 p.m., but that did not occur.

Although the percentage increase was not large, many more people were registered to vote this year than four years ago—3.72 million cast ballots, about 500,000 more than in 2004.

"Seventy-four percent of 5 million is a lot of voters," said Nancy Rodrigues, secretary of the State Board of Elections.

In the greater Richmond area, the historic election captivated voters, despite rain and long lines early in the day.

Only seven of the state's 134 cities and counties topped 80 percent voter turnout on Nov. 4. Five were in greater Richmond—Hanover, Goochland, New Kent, Powhatan and King William counties.

Collectively, 77.9 percent of voters in greater Richmond's 20 cities and counties cast ballots in the presidential election.

The state's lowest voter turnout came in Southwest Virginia, where several localities dipped below 60 percent.

Del. Terry G. Kilgore, R-Scott County, noted that the incumbent congressman, Rep. Rick Boucher, D-9th, was unopposed and said that might have held down the turnout.

McCain actually outperformed President Bush statewide, winning 1,726,000 votes to Bush's 1,717,000 four years ago. But Obama ran much more strongly than the Democrats' 2004 nominee, getting about 500,000 more votes than Sen. John Kerry.

Obama's success in majority-black areas helped propel him to victory. He won 75 percent of the vote in the 3rd District, in which he received 229,530 votes.

Obama rang up his biggest percentage margin in Petersburg, which he carried with 88 percent of the vote. A total of 15,540 people voted for president in Petersburg, up from the 11,949 in 2004.

In Richmond, Obama captured 75 percent of the vote. A sign of the interest in the first black presidential nominee of a major party was the 92,000-plus people who voted in the city. Four years ago, 74,325 did.

While he carried Virginia with 52.6 percent of the vote, Obama finished behind the Democrats' U.S. Senate candidate, Mark R. Warner, who received nearly 2.37 million votes—410,000 more than Obama. Warner obtained the most votes ever for a statewide candidate in Virginia.

Republicans, who lost Virginia's presidential race, Senate contest and at least two House seats, may take some solace from foodand meals-tax referendums.

Voters rejected five of six local tax increases. But voters approved local bond issues and other infrastructure improvements.

Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.