Roughly 1,800 Minnesota teens have pre-registered to vote under a new state law meant to get young people on track to cast a ballot once they turn 18.

Why it matters: While youth turnout has trended up in some recent elections, voters under 30 still tend to cast ballots at lower rates than older Americans.

• Some studies have shown that allowing teens to sign up to vote before they turn 18 can help increase participation.

How it works: 16- and 17-year-old residents who will eventually be eligible to vote can fill out a regular voter registration form in person or online. Once they're 18, the state's system will automatically add them to the voter rolls.

• Previously, teens could only pre-register if they were going to turn 18 in time for the next election.

Between the lines: While the law took effect in June, Secretary of State Steve Simon spent the last month visiting schools to encourage students to take advantage of the new law.

• 676 of the 1,817 new pre-registrations were completed in September, the secretary of state's office told Axios.

Yes, but: The overall pre-registration numbers represent just 1% of the 150,000 Minnesota teens the office has estimated are eligible.

Zoom out: The change was part of a bigger slate of new laws supporters argue will increase access to the polls, including automatic voter registration for residents who apply for a driver's license, state medical assistance or other eligible governmental services, and giving Minnesotans the option to sign up to receive a mail ballot for all future elections.

Of note: Minnesota already has one of the nation's highest turnout rates for young voters.

• An estimated 36% of voting-eligible residents ages 18 to 29 cast a ballot in the 2022 midterm election, per Tufts University's Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. The national average was just 23%.
• In the 2020 presidential election, it was 65%, just shy of New Jersey's nation-leading 67% participation rate for young voters.

Things are going to get more difficult for the Twins as they eye a deep playoff run.

State of play: The Twins will take on the Houston Astros in the best-of-five-American League Division Series starting tomorrow.

• The Astros are the reigning World Series champions and have been the AL's most successful team for the last six years, racking up four World Series appearances and two titles in that span.

Threat level: High. This Houston team may not have been dominant during the regular season, but it added ageless ace pitcher Justin Verlander in August and boasts a much scarier lineup than the Blue Jays.

Yes, but: Houston's pitching staff isn't as good as Toronto's, so the Twins should have more opportunities to score runs.

Who we're watching: Royce Lewis. The Twins rookie hit two home runs in the first game against Toronto, but his injured hamstring was exposed in Game 2.

• Since he can only run at about 75% speed, he's a liability running the bases.

👀 Ron Harris, a Democratic National Committee member and former chief resilience officer for Minneapolis, confirmed to Axios a Punchbowl News report that he's exploring a potential run for the 3rd Congressional District.

• The intrigue: The suburban district is represented by DFL U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, whose public flirtation with a presidential run and criticism of President Biden has caused consternation among some Democrats.
• Harris said his goal is to be ready if Phillips doesn't run for reelection. But he also hasn't ruled out a primary, per Punchbowl News.

Lawyers defending MyPillow and its CEO Mike Lindell in a number of election-related defamation lawsuits have asked a judge to let them quit the cases over millions of dollars in unpaid legal bills. (Star Tribune)

💩U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized and destroyed a small box containing "giraffe fecal material" from a passenger arriving at MSP late last month, per a news release.

• The passenger, who lives in Iowa, said she had used moose droppings to make necklaces before and planned to do the same with the giraffe poop.

Yes, but: You can't bring animal feces into the United States without a permit, the release noted, citing health and safety concerns.

Chiefs fans will have the opportunity on Sunday to do something that is nearly impossible in Kansas City: Walk to the game.

Driving the news: U.S. Bank Stadium is the second-most walkable pro football stadium in the country, according to Walk Score.

How it works: Walk Score, a Redfin company, measured hundreds of walking routes to nearby amenities, and points are awarded based on the distance to places in each category.

Context: NFL stadiums are often built in suburbs, so the competition isn't tough.

• U.S. Bank Stadium is two blocks from Trader Joe's and is within a few blocks of thousands of apartments and hotel rooms.
• It also has the highest bike score and third-highest transit score.

Yes, but: As most residents of Downtown East will tell you, the area could use more of a bar and restaurant scene.

📅 Upcoming events around the city.

Art & Dining After Dark at Minneapolis Institute of Art on Oct. 17:

• Don't miss this entirely unique, completely delicious way to enjoy Mia: a private dining experience, after-hours in the galleries, inspired by Mia's special exhibition.
• The evening features a multi-course, salon-style dinner and Paris Dining Club; wine pairings, and a private, curator-led tour of the exhibition.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

The Milky Way candy bar, which turns 100 this year, got its start in the Twin Cities.

Flashback: Forrest Mars, son of famed Minnesota sweetmaker Frank Mars, came up with the idea for a candy "version of the malted milkshake" during a meal at a Minneapolis diner, the Star Tribune's Brooks Johnson reports.

• The 5-cent chocolate bar, which was also first made and sold here, generated $800,000 in sales within a year — that's about $14 million in today's dollars.