Early voter turnout down so far in Chicago as polls open for Election Day in primary races
CHICAGO — Election Day is here. The 2024 Illinois primary election reaches its conclusion Tuesday, with polls opening in the City of Chicago bright and early at 6 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m. Early v… The 2024 Illinois primary election ends with early voting in the City of Chicago, with a 7.7% turnout so far compared to previous primary elections. The Chicago Board of Elections hopes to reach at least 30% turnout by the end of the day. The city has 1.7 million registered voters, and the Bring Chicago Home ballot referendum asks voters to allow the City Council to raise taxes for a fund to address homelessness. The heavily contested race in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District and a potential replacement for Kim Foxx in the Cook County State’s Attorney seat are also on the ballot. The Democratic primary winner is expected to win the general election in November.
Published : a month ago by Michael Johnson and Glenn Marshall in Politics
The 2024 Illinois primary election reaches its conclusion Tuesday, with polls opening in the City of Chicago bright and early at 6 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m.
Early voting began in Chicago two weeks ago, and voting is down so far when compared to previous primary elections, according to the Chicago Board of Elections.
The City of Chicago alone has 1.7 million registered voters, but turnout was sitting around just 7.7% through the early election period Monday. The Board of Elections is hoping to reach at least 30% turnout this year by the time the polls close Tuesday night.
And there’s a lot at stake in this year’s primary elections.
In the city, the Bring Chicago Home ballot referendum asks voters to allow the City Council to raise taxes for a fund to address homelessness.
There’s also the heavily-contested race happening in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District and a big spotlight on who could replace Kim Foxx in the Cook County State’s Attorney seat, since she’s not running for re-election.
The Democratic primary winner is expected to win the general election in November in both of those races.
Voters who came out Monday on the last day of early voting stressed the importance of the primary races.
“People don’t realize that local elections really matter,” said Dora Cornelio, an early voter. “There are a lot of judges on the ballot right now, and these are the elections that people should come out to vote.”
Check in at WGN News’ Local Election Headquarters for all the Election Day coverage.
Topics: Voter Turnout