Area’s early voters cast thousands of ballots
South suburban polling sites see steady turnout, with more locations scheduled to openMonday
Thousands of south suburban residents are among the millions of Americans shattering early voting records by casting ballots weeks before theNov. 3 presidential election.
More than 17million nationwide had voted early as of Friday, according to multiple news accounts. In southern Cook County, some stood in line Fridaymorning to vote early at the 6th District courthouse inMarkham.
“Wewanted to get it done, because it’s important,” Andre Williams, ofHazel Crest, said as hewaited outside with a companion. During a midmorning visit, fewer than a dozen people at a timewaited a few minutes to be allowed into the courthouse to vote.
Concerns about theCOVID-19 pandemic are likely contributing to record numbers of early voters. Somewant to avoid potential crowds on ElectionDay, orwaiting in line outdoors on a day when theweather may be inclement.
“Iwant to getmy ballot in,” said Carlette Thomas, a nurse fromMatteson. “It’s important to vote for the best candidate for the country.”
I asked peoplewaiting in line why theywere voting, not which candidates or issues they cared most about. Some responded by volunteering information about a presidential candidate they supported.
Thomas, for example, said she was dismayed by howPresident DonaldTrump has handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of health careworkers have died because they did not have adequate supplies of personal protective equipment, she said.
“I thought thatwas terrible,” Thomas said. “Youwouldn’t send people towar withoutweapons.”
LeviTriplet, of Lynwoodm said hewas voting for Joe Biden for president.
“It should be a no-brainer,” he said. “DonaldTrump has done a great disservice to the office.”
More than 400 people per day have cast ballots at theMarkham courthouse on most days since early voting began, according to the Cook County clerk’s office. Nearly 11,000 early votes had been cast countywide as of Friday afternoon.
Others expressed enthusiasm for voting and a desire to complete the task.
“We’re voting early to avoid lines at our polling place, which is a library behind our house,” saidMary Commerford, of
Homewood, who drove to Markham with her husband, Marvin.“Wewanted to do it as early aswe could.”
Others said itwas convenient to stop by the courthouse and vote while theywere in the area running errands.
Early voting beganOct. 7 at county courthouses in downtownChicago and the suburbs, including in Markham and at the 5th District courthouse in Bridgeview. About 150 ballots per day, on average, have been cast at the Bridgeview courthouse.
Face masks are required to enter courthouses and other public buildings where polling places are located.
OnMonday early voting will be available at dozens of additional suburban
locations throughNov. 2. Hours vary, but many sites will be open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day for the next twoweeks, includingweekends.
South suburban sites openingMonday include the Calumet City Library, Prairie State College in ChicagoHeights, the Andrew Biela Senior Citizen Center in Crestwood, Harvey CityHall and public buildings in Lansing, Lemont, Matteson, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Township, PalosHeights, Park Forest, Thornton Township and Tinley Park.
Voting by mail also is an option for those who wish to avoid lines on Election Day. However, time is running out to request a ballot by mail. Also, there are concerns about the ability of theU.S. Postal Service to process mailed ballots in time to be counted.
Presidential elections every four years tend to attract the highest turnout. More than 70% of registered voters cast ballots in 2016 in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Local elections, like those in spring 2021, tend to see much lower turnout. Fewer than 10% of registered voters cast ballots in 2019 in many south suburban communities.
Aaron Gibbs, of Markham, said Fridaywas the first time he voted early.
“It’smy right,” he said. Older people generally tend to vote in greater numbers than younger people. James Thompson, 23, ofCountry Club Hills, was among the youngest people in line Friday morning outside the Markham courthouse.
“I feel it’s important,” Thompson said. “I feel everybody should vote. It makes a big difference.”
In 2018, the Cook County clerk’s office said 271,156 people in the suburbs voted early.
Early voting also expands onMonday throughoutWill County, where people have been able to vote early since Sept. 24 at the clerk’s office in Joliet. Additional early voting locations inWill County include Crete TownshipHall, Frankfort Public Library, Governors StateUniversity inUniversity Park, HomerTownshipHall, LockportTownshipHall and theNew LenoxVillageHall.
Residents also may vote early at village halls in Frankfort, Manhattan, Mokena andMonee and at theWashingtonTownship Hall, according to theWill County clerk’s office.