Another way voters are speaking out is by voting in the Pennsylvania primary on April 22. The deadline to register to vote is almost here.

Pennsylvania has what is known as a "closed" primary. That means you must be a registered Democrat to vote in the Democratic primary.

Evidently, some Republicans across the region also want to vote in that primary and are switching their registration.

But why?

When recent victories in Ohio and Texas revived Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, some suggested she slightly benefited from the so-called "Limbaugh Factor," conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh urging Republicans to vote for her in those Democratic primaries to ensure a long, bruising Democratic nomination battle, thereby helping the presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain.

With election offices across the region reporting higher than normal activity before Monday's registration deadline, some wonder whether Pennsylvania Republicans are planning a similar effort.

Several local counties report recent spikes in Democratic registration and declines in Republican numbers.

Since November, Allegheny County has added 8,000 more registered Democrats, losing about 200 registered Republicans.

"I think we're seeing a lot of Independents and Republicans switching and new people registering Democrat, because they are not happy with the direction of this country," said Allegheny County Democratic chair Jim Bum. "There may be some meddle factor going on, but it is not enough to make a difference."

The head of Allegheny County's Republican Party agrees it would rather keep the race going and eventually run against Clinton but that its members should focus on their own challenges.

"Republicans need to be concerned about turnout," said county Republican chair Jim Roddey. "The Democrats are turning out far better right now in most of the primaries than the Republicans. About 70 percent against 40 percent."

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