Early voting ahead of the primary election continues through Monday, with thousands of ballots already cast in Cook and Lake counties.
On Tuesday, Illinois voters will have the opportunity to vote for Republican or Democrat for president, congressional leaders, state senators and representatives, judges and county offices.
For those ready to vote in the primary now – for whatever reason – both Cook and Lake counties have early voting locations.
COOK COUNTY
“Early voting is a crucial component of ensuring democratic participation, and for this election cycle, voters can expect a streamlined and accessible process at all 52 early voting locations throughout Cook County beginning March 4,” said Frank Herrera, director of communications for Cook County Clerk Karen A. Yarbrough.
Since Feb. 21, voters could cast ballots at limited early voting sites including the Cook County Clerk’s office at 69 W. Washington St., and five suburban courthouse locations including the Rolling Meadows Courthouse, 2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows. The expanded early voting at 52 locations in the city and suburbs began March 4, with early voting available at the Arlington Heights Village Hall and the Barrington Hills Village Hall, according to the clerk’s website.
Residents of Arlington Heights and the Cook County portions of Barrington and Buffalo Grove, can vote – and register to vote – at any of the 52 early voting locations. Mail-in ballots can also be dropped off in secure drop boxes at each of these early voting locations.
“Our focus is on providing ample opportunities for all eligible voters to cast their ballots conveniently and securely,” Herrera said. “Whether it’s through extended hours, multiple pre-election day polling locations, or robust mail-in voting options, we’re committed to empowering voters to have their voices heard.”
As of the end of day Monday, the Cook County clerk’s website indicated more than 26,000 early votes cast at sites throughout the county, but that number does not include any of the mail-in ballots received because they are not counted until Election Day.
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The website tallied 1,027 ballots already at the Arlington Heights Village Hall since early voting expanded. The count was 202 at Barrington Hills.
Herrera said the last presidential election garnered 435,413 early voters – or 36% of the total vote. Although the clerk’s office doesn’t make predictions, he said it’s safe to say that presidential election cycles historically result in the highest voter turnout compared to gubernatorial or local elections for such offices as mayor and school boards.
Additionally, Cook County voters in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove and Barrington, will have the opportunity to choose delegates to the National Nominating Convention, commissioners for the Water Reclamation District, county clerk of the circuit court, state’s attorney, county commissioners, Illinois Supreme Court judge, Illinois appellate court judge, and circuit court and Subcircuit judges. A list of federal, state and Cook County candidates can be found online.
On Election Day, voters will have to go to the polls in their designated precinct – not to the early voting sites.
Voters can also check the clerk’s website to find precinct location for Election Day, apply for a mail ballot or to view a sample ballot.
“Early voting is one of the most popular ways to cast a ballot in suburban Cook County, Herrera said. “Early voting allows voters to make their voices heard without having to stand in line or take time off work to vote in the middle of the week on Election Day.”
LAKE COUNTY
Residents of Lake Zurich and the Lake County portions of Buffalo Grove and Barrington can visit the Lake County Clerk’s early voting information site for early voting locations near their home. There are a total of 18 early voting sites in Lake County, some with extended hours, including the Lake County main courthouse lobby in Waukegan. Early voting ends Saturday in Lake County.
Kania Robinson, a spokesperson in the Lake County Clerk’s office, said any registered Lake County voter can vote at any early voting site in Lake County but are required to choose either a Republican or Democratic party ballot. They will also see a few changes at the polls this year.
“Lake County voters will notice new Pollbooks and printers that print their ballot on demand,” Robinson said, adding that the appearance of the ballot and the ballot tabulating equipment remains the same as previous elections. “The updated equipment streamlines our process and voters will see faster check-in times than before.”
Robinson said the nearest early voting site for voters in Vernon and Cuba townships is still the same but the nearest early voting site for voters in Ela Township is now the Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich, which has extended hours for the first time.
“Early voting is one of the convenient options that voters in Illinois have to cast their ballot, along with voting by mail and voting in-person on Election Day,” Robinson said. “These options give voters flexibility in choosing the best method of voting that works best for their schedule.”
There are no referendums for Lake County voters in Barrington or Buffalo Grove, she said.
Lake County voters will be selecting a Lake County court clerk, coroner, state’s attorney, county board members in Districts 2, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 18, and North Shore Water Reclamation District trustees in Wards 1, 4 and 5.
There are several contested primaries this election cycle in Lake County, including in the 11th Congressional District where Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Foster is facing challenger Qasim Rashid. The Republican challengers are Jerry Evans, O Kent Mercado and Susan Hathaway-Altman. The Lake County board member representing the 8th District includes Democratic incumbent Diane Hewitt facing Charles A. Rukstales.
Robinson said presidential elections typically result in higher voter turnout, but in the 2020 primary election it was 24% in Lake County compared to 44% in the March 2016 cycle.
Sample ballots for specific Lake County residential addresses and more information on registering to vote and voting can be found on the Lake County Clerk’s website.
The General Election will be held Nov. 5.
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.