It's almost over. But not quite.

And one of the most important functions of any campaign - getting out the vote - is also one of the last."Now is when the real value of a political party comes in," said Bill Stevenson, a former GOP state chairman who has been overseeing voting district organization for the party.

The state Republican and Democratic parties were hard at work Monday, telephoning tens of thousands of Utahns in an effort to make sure they vote.

Some politicos think that effort isn't needed as much this year as others.

In presidential election years, as is this year, Utahns have a fine voting record. "I expect 75 percent to 78 percent," guessed GOP State Chairman Craig Moody. Utahns traditionally are near the top of the states in voter turnout, and this year there is no evidence to suggest a drop-off.

Thousands of people registered to vote in the final sign-up days, county clerks reported.

Some thought this election year would be a sleeper in Utah, with large pluralities in many races.

The governor's race was one of those, with Democrat Ted Wilson leading this summer by 15-20 points in the polls. But it has closed slowly and steadily the past several months, and now it is up for grabs.

The latest Deseret News/KSL-TV poll conducted by Dan Jones & Associates, published Sunday, shows GOP Gov. Norm Bangerter and Wilson deadlocked at 36 percent each. Independent Merrill Cook is at 24 percent support among registered voters and 3 percent are still undecided, Jones found in a survey taken last week.

So the get-out-the-vote effort and the undecideds will decide the governor's race - that much is clear.

The weather on election day always affects the fainthearted voter. An increasing threat of rainshowers