Democrats have significantly narrowed the early voting gap in the 45th Congressional District, an encouraging sign for challenger Julie Bornstein in her battle to unseat Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Palm Springs), according to Bornstein campaign manager Walter Ludwig.

In both 2004 and 2006, registered Republicans accounted for about 54 percent of early voters, compared with just 34 percent for Democrats. Mack, now a four-term incumbent, cruised to re-election both years by more than 20 points.

This year, early voting is much more evenly split. The latest numbers from the Riverside County Registrar of Voters show that registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by just five percent among early voters.

The registrar's office has counted 26,478 mail-in ballots so far, about 20 percent of the expectable absentee voter universe, a combination of permanent mail-in voters plus nonpermanent absentee voters who have nonetheless voted absentee at least three times.

"Early voting numbers in the 45th have historically been heavily Republican," Ludwig said. "For Democrats to be in a draw is stunning, and very encouraging."

Ludwig boasted of a robust field game that would make for a long night Nov. 4. "Our ground operation will win the voting on election day," Ludwig proclaimed.

Mack's campaign could not be reached for comment.

ELSEWHERE on PolitickerCA.com:

• Bornstein lands endorsement of California Teachers Association
• Bono Mack enters final stretch with big cash advantage over Bornstein
• Bono Mack launches attack ad as race for desert district heats up
• Bornstein ties Bono Mack to Bush with first ad as DCCC moves contest to "Emerging Races" list