ENERGIZING VOTERS KEY ROGAN-SCHIFF FIGHT BOILS DOWN TO WHO BEATS APATHY AT POLLS.

Byline: Jennifer Hamm Staff Writer

The costliest race in congressional history, pitting Republican Rep. James Rogan against Democratic state Sen. Adam Schiff, likely will turn on which side does the best job of getting its voters out, political analysts said on Monday.

``It's going to be a battle of get out the vote,'' said Stanley Moore, professor of political science at Pepperdine University. ``They are really geared up for quite an effort.''

The fight to sell voters on a candidate has been replaced by a race to get voters to the polls today in the largely Democratic district.

Thousands of volunteers canvassed neighborhoods over the weekend and will continue today until the polls close. Voters in the district, which includes Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena, have also been flooded with reminders to vote from dozens of phone banks.

``From what I hear, though, it's still very close,'' said Alan Hoffenblum, a political consultant.

Hoffenblum predicts that turnout in the district could be strong for Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush, which would likely help Rogan.

``Jim Rogan needs a good Bush day,'' he said. ``And I think he could get a good Bush day.''

Moore disagreed, saying the congressional contest won't be strongly affected by the top of the ticket, although it will be shaped by each party's ability to compel voters to cast their ballots.

The race drew national attention after Rogan worked as a House manager during President Clinton's impeachment trial and landed himself at the top of the Democratic hit list. Democrats are also eager to regain control of the House and consider Rogan vulnerable.

Rogan has raised more than $6 million while Schiff has brought in nearly $4 million.

``A lot of people have made up their minds that Mr. Rogan is too extreme for the district, and I just don't know if he's been able to shake that perception, even with all of his money,'' Moore said. ``But we'll see.''