Thousands of Illinois residents have taken part in the state's first foray into online voter registration. The State Board of Elections says 31,000 voters turned in online applications, with more than a third of those coming in the final two days before last week's deadline.
It was the first time Illinois has allowed applicants to register online: Voting rights groups had long pushed for the change; critics question the processes ability to properly screen identities.
Midterm elections (when there's no race for President) typically see lower turnout, and it's expected the negative tone of the governor's race could result in voter apathy. But the online registration is one of several changes this election year that could drive up turnout in Illinois.
Early voting begins earlier than ever before. There are also a handful of non-binding referenda and proposed constitutional amendments that could bring interested voters to the polls.