Early voting starts Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Early voting is scheduled to begin Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions for the state’s Democratic and Republican primary elections March 17.

Illinois State Board of Elections Public Information Officer Matt Dietrich said the state’s early voting period lasts 40 days.

“It’s five weeks and five days prior to the election, so it’s always on a Thursday,” Dietrich told TCS.

Dietrich said there were many objections to candidates who filed last October.

“We still have a couple of candidates who are still in court, trying to get back onto the ballot, but for the most part those have been resolved,” Dietrich said.

Pike County Clerk/Recorder Natalie Roseberry said it is challenging to have court cases pending when ballots are already printed.

“We do our printing in house, and we are in a position where we might have to terminate those ballots. These last-minute decisions really do make an impact on election officials,” Roseberry told TCS.

Roseberry said early voting would start at her office Thursday and be available on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Some people only want to vote on Election Day, but Roseberry said other options help voters exercise their right.

“This time of year, a lot of our residents spend time in other states and try to get away from the cold weather. That’s where vote by mail comes in handy or early voting. People can vote before or after they go on trips and they don’t have to worry about that vote being counted or missing that election,” Roseberry said.

Dietrich said there is no recourse if you change your mind after voting early.

“Once you cast that ballot at early voting, it’s just like voting at a polling place on Election Day. You put that ballot into the tabulator and it is gone and there is no retrieving it. You don’t get to revote,” Dietrich said.

Chicago does not start early voting until Feb. 12, and suburban Cook County begins early voting on Feb. 18.

Voting locations and hours for jurisdictions throughout the state can be found at the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

Dietrich said online voter registration is available at the site until March 1, but registration does not close until the polls close.

“You can register when you go to your early voting location. You can register on March 17 at your polling place if you need to, just be sure to bring your two pieces of ID,” Dietrich said.