While her husband prepares for his big debate Thursday night, Jill Biden stopped by Lancaster to deliver a message of her own.

Noting that Tuesday was voter-registration deadline day in Pennsylvania, she said, "The voter-registration deadline is just hours away, so we need to get out there and get everyone registered," Biden told a crowd of about 50 supporters Tuesday at the Obama-Biden campaign headquarters on West King Street.

The wife of Vice President Joe Biden encouraged Democratic campaign volunteers to help organize their communities between now and Election Day and thanked them for their work.

"We really could not do this without you," she said. "I've been traveling throughout the country the past couple of weeks and I've seen the enthusiasm of the people — the same I see here today."

The visit by Biden was part of a two-day campaign trek through the state that included stops in Harrisburg, Scranton, Hazleton, Allentown, Reading and Philadelphia.

Her tour came at an interesting time: A recent poll suggests the presidential race in Pennsylvania might be tightening. Based on a new Siena Research Institute Poll,  President Barack Obama leads Republican challenger Mitt Romney 43 percent to 40 percent.

Some statewide polls taken before last Wednesday's presidential debate had Obama with a much larger lead.

The Siena poll also found that 12 percent of voters are not aligned with either candidate. That's more undecided voters than any poll has shown in the past month.

During a 10-minute speech to a standing-room-only crowd, Biden spoke about how the policies crafted by Obama and her husband have moved the country "forward."

"I see how Barack and Joe have stood up for the rights and the freedoms of us every day," she said.

Biden talked about the administration's work in various areas, from education and health care reform to promoting equal pay for women and bringing home troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Biden, accompanied by the couple's daughter, Ashley, encouraged those at the rally to spread that message to their neighbors.

"It takes every single person, so get out there because we have 28 more days," she said.

After the speech, Biden spent several minutes greeting supporters.

Waiting in a long line to get a picture with the second lady was Andrew Drakes, a volunteer who has spent a few hours each day since June canvassing the city.

"I represent exactly what Obama  and Biden stand for," Drakes said, explaining that he came to the United States from the  Republic of Guyana to live the American dream. "They believe in helping people so they can go on and help others."

Drakes said that Biden's visit was exactly what local supporters needed to reinvigorate them.

"This visit was a great reminder of why we're doing what we're doing," he said.

Campaign volunteer Barbara Wank agreed.

"This energizes me to keep going — to keep making those calls and knocking on those doors," she said.

kshuey@lnpnews.com