TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republicans in Florida are narrowing the voter registration gap with Democrats, underscoring the state’s status as a crucial battleground in November.

Even though Democrats have historically had a voter registration edge in Florida, they have been unable to capitalize on that advantage and have lost a string of high-profile election contests.

With just days to go before Monday’s voter registration deadline, both parties are making a final push to grow their voter rolls.

The state Democratic Party is downplaying the surging Republican numbers, as the party has built a wide lead in the number of voters requesting absentee ballots — voters, who they say are more likely to vote.