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WEBVTT <13;23 WE'VE BEEN BUILDING FOR THIS DAY FOR QUITE A FEW MONTHS ACTUALLY 13;26> Monday's release of new voter registration numbers gave Democrats in Iowa's 3rd congressional district something to cheer about. For the first time since 2012, when lines were redrawn, there are now more active registered Democrats than Republicans in the district. After being outnumbered last October by more than 16,000 voters... Democrats now lead Republicans by a slim margin -- 475 voters -- most of that driven by increased registration in Polk County. <13;26 WE'VE BEEN REGISTERING VOTERS AT EVERY EVENT THAT WE CAN AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK SINCE APRIL. 13;35> But what do these new numbers mean for the closely-watched, tight race between incumbe Republican representative David Young and Democrat Cindy Axne? KCCI Political Analyst Dennis Goldford says the numbers suggest enthusiasm for Dems going into November. <41;32 THE NUMBERS ARE GOOD FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS. IT'S A NICE BOOST FOR DEMOCRATS GOING INTO THE ELECTION. 41;39> But he says it doesn't make a Blue Wave -- a sure thing. <42;06 REGISTRATION'S ONE THING. BUT WILL YOUR VOTERS TURN OUT ON ELECTION DAY? IN THE HISTORY OF MIDTERMS IN IOWA, REPUBLICANS TAKE TURNING OUT MORE SERIOUSLY THAN DEMOCRATS DO. 42;20> Polk County Dem Chair Sean Bagniewski says he's keeping that in mind. <14;09 WE'VE SEEN THE MOVIE BEFORE WHERE WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO WIN AND THEN WE DIDN'T SHOW UP THE DAY OF 14;14> <BUTTED> <14;18 WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PLAY IT LIKE WE'RE 10 POINTS BEHIND UNTIL ELECTION DAY. 14;22>

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As election day closes in, Iowa Democrats hope new voter registration numbers will translate into a Blue Wave.For the first time since 2012, registered active Democrats outnumber Republicans in Iowa's third congressional district, according to the Iowa Secretary of State.The number of voters who haven't declared a party preference also increased.Polk County Democratic Chair Sean Bagniewski said Monday's release of new voter registration numbers gave Democrats in Iowa's third. congressional district something to cheer about.“We've been registering voters at every event that we can at least once a week since April,” Bagniewski said.The Secretary of State’s report says that after being outnumbered last October by more than 16,000 voters, Democrats now lead Republicans by a slim margin of 475 voters.A spokesperson from Republican Rep. David Young’s campaign told KCCI that Young encourages everyone to register to vote and appreciates the support he's received across party lines.“David Young encourages all who can to register to vote,” spokesperson Cole Staudt said. “David also appreciates the support he has always received from Democrats, Republicans, and independents and is humbled and honored to serve all Iowans in Congress. “David's campaign continues to bring together Democrats and Republicans and everyone in between, just like he does in Congress.” KCCI political analyst Dennis Goldford said the new numbers suggest enthusiasm for Democrats, especially those keeping an eye on the tight race between incumbent Young and his Democratic challenger, Cindy Axne.“The numbers are good for bragging rights,” Goldford said. “It's a nice boost for Democrats going into the election.”Goldford said the number of registered Democratic voters do not insure a Blue Wave.“Registration's one thing, but will your voters turn out on Election Day?” Goldford said. “In the history of midterms in Iowa, Republicans take turning out more seriously than Democrats do.”In a statement, Axne said, in part, that she will work harder than ever to “earn every single vote." KCCI reached out to the Iowa GOP and did not hear back.