Politicians in Illinois are looking at turnout in Chicago’s suburbs to determine the results of some statewide races. Kent Redfield teaches political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield. He said turnout in the collar counties could make or break a candidate running for governor or senator.

“The Republican base is smaller than the Democratic base, all things being equal. If the Democratic candidates split moderate independent swing voters, they should win overall,” Redfield said.

Redfield said Democrats have not polled well with swing voters so far this year, though. Clerks in many of the collar counties and suburban Cook report more people voted early in this midterm election than in 2006.