CHEYENNE - Energized by the presidential races, more people are registering to vote in Wyoming, and so far Democrats are winning the battle for new recruits.

The number of Democrats climbed 4 percent between Feb. 19 and April 1, the latest figures available, to 59,600 from 57,300, according to the secretary of state's office. Republicans, meanwhile, easily maintained their majority status, but saw their numbers dip slightly during the same period, to 136,700 from 136,800.

"The excitement in our party has a nationwide reach, even into Wyoming, which is not a traditional Democratic stronghold," said Bill Luckett, executive director of the Wyoming Democratic Party.

The bulk of the new Democratic voters signed up in advance of the state party's March 8 caucuses, which featured appearances beforehand by candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. But even after the caucuses, numbers continued to climb, adding about 500 voters between March 4 and April 2.

The state Republican Party caucuses in January received far less attention from top-tier GOP candidates, and the party gained only about 200 voters between March and April.

State GOP spokeswoman Amy Larimer said she expects her party's numbers to spring back soon. The thrill of having all three of the state's congressional seats open this November will generate considerable excitement within the party, she said.