Early Voting Off To Strong Start For Mayoral Runoff Election
CHICAGO (CBS) -- For the second consecutive day Tuesday, Chicago election board officials said the early voting turnout was a record.
When 11,638 people cast ballots in the first two days of early voting for the February primary, that was the record for a strictly local election. But Tuesday alone, the Chicago Board of Elections' Jim Allen said, the record was smashed, with 13,098 early votes cast for a two-day total of 21,012.
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Allen said a lot of factors are contributing to the strong showing, including Tuesday's mild weather, the fact the runoff elections occur during spring break for most Chicago school students, and because there are races for mayor and 18 aldermen to be decided. The strongest turnout so far is in the 41st ward, where incumbent Ald. Mary O'Connor faces a runoff with the Firefighters Union-backed Anthony Napolitano; 1,154 votes have been cast.
Early voting can be done by Chicagoans at any of 51 sites citywide, at the Election Board headquarters at 69 W. Washington St. and at one location in each of the 50 wards. The polls are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; this Sunday only they will be open 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
For a list of the locations, visit the Chicago Board of Elections website.
You can vote early at any of the locations and you can register to vote at any location. Just bring a government issued ID as well as something to verify your address.
