How did the issue of immigration play in this election?

President Barack Obama has not ruled out an executive order to address illegal immigration reform. Those who voted in the midterm elections expressed support for granting legal status to illegal immigrants, but for most, it wasn't the issue that drove them to the polls.

According to the CBS News National Exit Poll, 57 percent of voters favor giving illegal immigrants working in the U.S. a chance to apply for legal status, while 38 percent think they should be deported. Most Democrats and independents back legal status, while most Republican voters do not. Hispanic voters are especially supportive of legal status.

Still, illegal immigration wasn't an issue at the top of most voters' minds in the midterm election. It ranked third--behind the economy and health care--as the most important issue facing the country. For Hispanic voters, who are strong supporters of path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, the economy was their top concern.

Voters who did choose illegal immigration as their priority issue overwhelmingly cast their vote for the Republican candidate for the House of Representatives, by 74 percent to 24 percent, suggesting that Republicans want something done about illegal immigration, but not necessarily the reforms that have been proposed.

While immigration may not be the top priority, a September CBS News Poll, found a slim majority of Americans (51 percent) favor President Obama taking action by executive order on immigration, if Congress does not act to address the issue. Perhaps not surprisingly, most Democrats support the President taking such action, while Republicans oppose it.