Chicago Voters On Track To Double The Early Ballots Cast In 2016

Chicagoans have already set a new early voting turnout record, set to nearly double the turnout during the last presidential election year.

The Chicago Board of Elections confirmed that as of Tuesday night (October 27), more than 573,000 voters have cast their ballots, including 335,000 votes by mail and 237,000 votes in person at one of more than 50 polling places. Board Commissioner Marisel Hernandez said Tuesday that citizens are on track to hit 750,000 early ballots this election, nearly double the 400,000 early ballots cast in 2016.

Block Club Chicago reported Wednesday (October 28) that “dozens” of polling locations had to change because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Private companies that typically offer their sites declined this year to help mitigate the spread of the virus. Many officials encouraged the public to vote early or by mail during the ongoing pandemic, Block Club Chicago noted.

Chicago has reached the “second surge” of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said earlier this month.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced “resurgence mitigations” on Tuesday, going into effect Friday (October 30) in response to the rising hospitalizations and positivity rates.

State officials implemented similar mitigations in other parts of the state.

Find voter information at chicagoelections.gov.

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