SAN DIEGO -- About 1.5 million absentee ballots had been filed throughout the state, Secretary of State Kevin Shelley said during a visit to the San Diego County registrar of voters.

RECALL ELECTION Q&A: Recall Election VOTE: Should Davis Be Recalled? SLIDESHOW: Gallery Of Celebrity Politicians DISCUSS: For Or Against Recall? 10 EDITORIAL: Don't Recall Davis

"As of Thursday morning, nearly a million and a half Californians have voted by absentee ballot out of the more than 3 million ballots that have been mailed to voters statewide," he said.

He also said that there has been an additional 400,000 registered voters.

"This is an indisputable interest indicator of the significant public interest in this unprecedented election," Shelley said.

Shelley also urged voters to study the issues, mark their sample ballots and mail in their absentee ballots. His remarks came during a tour of the offices of County Registrar Sally McPherson.

"You can't really get a realistic picture of how much preparation and timing is involved into holding an election until you see it at the county level," he said.

"Whether it's processing absentee ballots, preparing ballots to go to the precincts or helping voters locate their polling places, this is where the rubber hits the road."

Shelley has been encouraging voters who still have their absentee ballots to complete and mail them to ensure that they are received by Election Day on Tuesday.

"Over the past few weeks we've been emphasizing to voters that they should take advantage of voting by mail," he said.