Cicero schools have parent teacher conferences on election day, which makes sense - kids aren’t getting in the way of election operations, plus the parents can vote right before or after meeting the teachers.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:31 am:
Quite empty in West Lakeview, Chicago. No line at 6:15 AM; I was 4th to vote.
I’ve lived in same place for four years, and am a regular voter. Strangely, this time, when I checked in, the election judge said “There is a mail canvas voter challenge on you.” (It was not an in-person challenge; there wasn’t a campaign watcher or lawyer present; it was just written on my record somehow).
But I was allowed to vote (not provisionally), and paper fed through machine and it counted the vote.
Any election experts here that could explain? I’m curious.
I live in the 3rd Congressional District (19th Ward) and was impressed with how many people voted early in the Ward (approximately 4200). Decent buzz around the Lipinski-Newman race but as far as I could tell, it’s running about 50/50 there which also piqued my curiosity. I would have thought the Lipinski name was stronger there.
Also, I am surprised how few people voted early in the 23rd Ward, just shy of 1,700). Lipper could be in trouble if suburban woman turnout.
8th to vote in Bucktown, Chicago around 7 AM. First time voting at that location, was surprised by the small turnout, but it might be normal. It was picking up by the time I left. Not many signs or canvassers outside either.
Pulled a blue ticket for the first time. And everyone sub-50 around me seemed to be doing the same.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:34 am:
Three Democrats running in judicial races asked me for my vote at my polling place. This was at 8am. I told them I was voting Republican. They seemed shocked.
I voted in Lombard for the first time. Had registered to vote back in January when I changed the address on the drivers license. They couldn’t find me in the computer at the poll and they explained there had been a delay getting information transferred from the State into the DuPage Election Commission’s system. I had my new paper voters card and my drivers license which was enough to get me into the system. Took a while but I eventually voted.
I live right near my polling place (personally voted early a while ago, so I didn’t go in). As I was leaving for work (7:50 A.M.), there were tons of cars pulling in. Definitely a lot of activity today.
Just me and a precinct captain when my 19th Ward polling place opened at 6:00 sharp. BTW, Fritz Kaegi on the palm card…Berrios dumped by one of the few remaining organizations.
I know a full-time lawyer and part-time bartender who has served me many beers over the years is running for judge. Never expected to see the Billy Goat logo on a campaign sign.
Went out and voted. Voted for Sanders in the last election and voted Ives in this one. Also voted to legalize pot in Cook county. Actually, a lot of my friends who are not voters are voting today (at least 15 I know) just to vote yes on the referendum. Cook might have a pretty good turnout because of it, but that’s just anecdotal.
It’s cold out there this morning on the last day of winter. Thankful that I no longer have to endure the elements working precincts on Election Day. Good luck to all those not so lucky stay warm and be civil.
==I’ve lived in same place for four years, and am a regular voter. Strangely, this time, when I checked in, the election judge said “There is a mail canvas voter challenge on you.” (It was not an in-person challenge; there wasn’t a campaign watcher or lawyer present; it was just written on my record somehow).==
Wouldn’t hurt to call the ACLU or a similar organization and ask.
I live in a small town. I voted about 7:30 and was the 15th voter. They said they expect a good turnout in this election. Several local elections are being contested so there is interest. The Governor is not very popular here, we are a prison town.
=You guys know it’s just advisory though, right?=
Def. know it’s just advisory and that most don’t govern via referendum, but still good to get our voice out and push towards it.
Yes it is “only” advisory. However, a large “yes” vote, say over 66%, could and should give elected officials enough cover to start moving in the direction to legalize marijuana in the near future.
I was the second voter for my precinct (43rd Ward, 16th PCT, Chicago). Not much action but the election judges seemed to be unprepared or poorly trained.
I live among Rauner’s supposed constituency. I’ve seen around 50 Ives signs and not one Rauner. Stopped to vote on my way to work, pulled an R ballot, and voted against Bruce V Rauner. Felt good. Polling place was empty but it was early.
9 people voted at my North Suburban polling place as of 830am. 9. Apparently early voting up here was a big thing. It’s the lowest vote total at that time that I’ve ever seen.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:43 am:
==PredictIt has her at 27c (27% to win) right now.==
Wow. That means, I believe, you could plunk down $800 on Rauner for roughly a $200 profit, were this allowed in our state.
35th to vote in the 42nd ward, 26th precinct (Streeterville) at 8:30 AM. Seems about average for a primary. No line, but the long Cook County ballot meant all 6 voting booths were filled.
As for what I’m hearing, a suburban Republican acquaintance voted in the Dem primary to vote for Drury, but voted for Biss too. A Dem acquaintance early voted for JB because he’s the frontrunner. Detecting some movement to Kennedy among my friends in the last week, but may be too late.
Voted in Leland Grove(Springfield for you non-Springfield area folks) at 6:30. One person ahead of me and nobody else came in before I left. Nobody voting in the other precinct at the church.
All you people saying it was pretty empty. Well, I’m sure it was as a lot of people are either still sleep or at work. I believe it will pick up throughout the day and after work. I also believe election day should be an off work day so people can vote.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:45 am:
Thank you, Pieroge. I followed up with a contact in a campaign, who looked up my voter record, said it was clean, but she was stumped.
Rumblings from union workers across the board from Western Illinois to Springfield say they will vote for ABQ (Anyone But Quinn). The question is, have unions done enough to consolidate the vote behind Raoul to punish Quinn for the Pension reform that cost Unions tons of cash to fight against all the way to the IL Supreme Court?
If Quinn was looking to win narrowly in Chicago and win big downstate off of name recognition in a crowded field, he may find himself in 2nd place when the votes are counted.
Stopped by my west suburban library to grab a free coffee and some Munchkins on the way to work (early voted two weeks ago.) At 6:30, nobody was voting.
Forgot to mention I got a robo-call 2 nights ago here in the 42nd ward from Alderman Brendan Reilly for Kennedy. I believe robo-calls annoy at least as many voters as they turn out, but I was surprised by the endorsement.
Found out over the weekend that so long as a person turns 18 before the November general election, he or she may register and vote in today’s primary. So we got my 17-year-old registered yesterday and he was able to early vote too. His first time voting! Cool!
Moderate crowd at my polling place this morning, which has tables set up for several precincts.
- 50th Ward Chicago - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:53 am:
I voted at 6:30am and was number 2 for the day. Three others came after, while I was there and all chose Republican ballots. My son went to vote at 8:45am and he was the 11th Dem. Interesting small sample size that means nothing.
Stopped by my west suburban library at 6:30 and there were no voters in line.
- Because I Said So.... - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:56 am:
Pretty dead at my 19th Ward polling place…a funeral home. A little Election morning humor.
Actually I was the 42nd voter. Election judge said he was short workers and glad there was a lot of early voting.
The only one outside was for a judicial candidate.
Was voter number 46 in a small town east of Springfield with a pop. of only 935 at 8am this morning.
- Chicago_Downstater - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:58 am:
Voted about 6:10 at the 48th Ward 6th Precinct (Edgewater Neighborhood of Chicago). I was something like the 5th voter.
Everything was went smoothly and the crew at the polling place seemed very solid. This is around the 5th time I’ve voted at this polling place and they always seem to have it well in hand.
A big thanks to all the volunteers at the polling places today. I’m sure things don’t always go right, but you make the process possible, so thanks again.
My ballot was defective. It had no place on it anywhere to vote against Madigan.
Short line. Some overheard discussion of Facebook scandal. Not much energy or drama anywhere. I noticed the polling place didn’t have those stupid no guns signs posted this time.
Mrs. CO reports she was #38 when she hit the polls about 9:15 am. This is a new precinct for us so no idea whether that’s good or bad, but that would be low compared to our last precinct. Of course, our last precinct was largely composed of retirees (it was located in a 55+ development, even though we didn’t live there), so who knows.
I do know this: I’m in Lipinski’s district. This morning, I got a robo-text from them that read: “REMINDER: Dan Lipinski is our current congressman. Today Democrats go to the polls to vote for him again!”
It’s literally the third contact I’ve had from Lipper, and the other two were mailers. I’ve been inundated with Newman stuff. As I’ve said, I don’t know who will win, but I know who’s trying.
My polling place is inside of a high rise condo building (25th ward, Precinct 21) and had a line at 630am, which was odd. Multiple machines seemed to be off/not-functioning
Only signs that were present was Bill Lowrey and Bob Fioretti if thats worth noting…that’s all that has been around this neighborhood in general.
While voting I overheard my next-door neighbor in our liberal suburban enclave request a Republican ballot! I never suspected. Now I can practice reaching across party lines, across the fenceline.
Not much going on in quadruple precinct polling place in La Grange. Was 15th ballot cast at 6:55 a.m. with about 700 RVs. But lots of early voting, at least so they say.
Separately, a DuPage friend said his precinct was completely clogged because same two judges were handling same-day registration and handing out ballots to registered voters. Long, long lines resulting.
Line not bad in the morning. Chuy’s guys were passing out palm cards for judges within the boundary and I had to “remind” them about the cones that were marked.
I know signs aren’t votes, but they do indicate enthusiasm … or lack there of. Local neighborhood (except for the polling place) only has 3 politics signs total; I actually saw more “We support State Employees” signs. And the one sign for Gov, in a mostly R area, was for JB.
Local polling place is for 3 precincts. Usually flooded with signs; only has about half the normal amount.
Saw an 18 year young man voting for the first time before he went to school. 130 votes as of 9am at sauganash park polling location. A lot of support for Ram running for 8th district state senate.
Took my kid with me. He’s 8 and super into democracy, so he was the hit of the polling station (and nobody has ever been happier to get an “I voted!” sticker). Quiet when we went, but they said it was very busy over the weekend with early voters; makes sense in a commuter suburb, and I did see a TON of cars and people there over the weekend when I went past.
Took my 17-year-old daughter to vote for the first time. She was the third to vote in our polling place. The judges high-fived her and thanked her for voting. It was sweet.
- The Old Professor - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:41 am:
From yesterday’s News-Gazette, and keep in mind that election day is during UIUC’s Spring Break, so early voting will be heavier:
With one day of early voting to go, already 8,591 ballots have been cast in Champaign County — more than twice as many as the 3,178 early votes cast in 2014.
Almost two-thirds of the people who have voted so far in Champaign County have chosen Democratic ballots, a remarkable reversal of historic trends.
Generally Republican voters outnumber Democrats in non-presidential primary years by about 2-to-1. In 2014, for example, 63 percent of primary voters took Republican ballots. In 2010, it was 65 percent Republican.
My wife and I voted last Saturday afternoon in Rogers Park. Someone thought it would be a good idea to put a few Ives signs up on the lawn outside the polling station.
- The Bashful Raconteur - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:48 am:
Me and the squeeze were the only voters in our small town polling place, only 14 before us. It was great seeing high school aged volunteers working there. They seem to get a kick out of us pulling different ballots. The Yin and Yang of our community.
My three-precinct polling place in bright red McHenry County was dead at 8:30. A neighbor happened to be there and asked me for a recommendation since he knew nothin about the gubernatorial candidates. At least he didn’t stay home….but I think a lot of registered voters will. It’s a primary with little enthusiasm
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:55 am:
I walked in to polling place at 6 a.m. in case there was a line (before getting younger son to high school early). No line–I was the first one there. They were kind of surprised they had someone so early but they were very welcoming. No one passing palm cards. 3 others came while I was there but no line–probably picked up later.
11 o’clock check-in at my local precinct in Decatur West Side. It leans Republican, and the judges told me that it is a moderately low turnout up to this point (115 ballots pulled)I wanted to ask if they had noticed many people changing ballots from previous registration ,but wasn’t sure if that would get me in trouble for asking
Similar to Cubs in ‘16 have been struck by the lack of Rauner signs in my Republican area of Central Illinois.
So many Ives signs around town but have seen only one Rauner sign this entire primary adorning an empty lot with a bunch of other political signs.
Been surprised by the number of yards with Ives and Dan Brady signs paired together even though Brady has stuck by Rauner and Brady has his own firebrand challenger.
Chicago - 41st ward, 2nd pct, 58th voter at 10:30. No line, smooth crew. Thank you, judges.
Plenty of signs, a few campaigners hanging around but nobody approached me or even looked my way. Maybe my pain was showing…
Scylla and Charybdis and the most conflicted I’ve ever felt pulling a ticket, weighing desire to cast votes ~for~ some vs. ~against~ others, literally until the very last minute.
A couple of Cicero polls opened after 7am today. Voter intimidation strong in Cicero/Berwyn favoring State Rep Lisa Hernandez.
- Dem in Red County - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:14 am:
Voted at 9 am in Central Illinois overwhelmingly Republican county. I pulled a Dem ballot. No Dems running in state legislative or local races. Man ahead of me was pulling a Republican ballot and complaining that all the candidates are terrible and it didn’t make much difference which ballot he pulled. Judges said there had been a steady stream of voters. Only signs out front were for JB and sheriff candidate.
Rich, great work ethic you have. I know it’s your busy season, but ya gotta sleep sometimes. If ya ever get outta this gig, I can maybe get ya a widget salesman job.
light in Du Page. Have to echo those who note all the Ives signs….haven’t seen any Rauner signs. I know signs don’t vote, but the people who put them in their yards (many of whom I know) do vote. Can the polls be that wrong??
Hard time deciding whether to pull a D or R…wanted to vote for Chris Kennedy. But got a mean, false mailer from Grasso yesterday so pulled the R to vote for Erika. So Ives got one from me as well.
Central Illinois report (18th congressional district): voted at 9:30 and I was number 94. Poll watchers were there from the Attorney General’s office. They seemed surprised at the turnout. Steady stream of people after me, too. Driving around town, there seemed to be a fair number of cars at other polling places, too.
- Fax Machine - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:30 am:
Cicero schools have parent teacher conferences on election day, which makes sense - kids aren’t getting in the way of election operations, plus the parents can vote right before or after meeting the teachers.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:31 am:
Quite empty in West Lakeview, Chicago. No line at 6:15 AM; I was 4th to vote.
I’ve lived in same place for four years, and am a regular voter. Strangely, this time, when I checked in, the election judge said “There is a mail canvas voter challenge on you.” (It was not an in-person challenge; there wasn’t a campaign watcher or lawyer present; it was just written on my record somehow).
But I was allowed to vote (not provisionally), and paper fed through machine and it counted the vote.
Any election experts here that could explain? I’m curious.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:32 am:
Guy ahead of me claimed he was also typically a Democrat primary voter pulling a Republican ballot to vote for Ives. Small world (or not hopefully).
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:32 am:
My own 9am report.
Tom Cross isn’t at Fox Bend yet.
That’s my 9am report.
- Colin O'Scopy - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:33 am:
I live in the 3rd Congressional District (19th Ward) and was impressed with how many people voted early in the Ward (approximately 4200). Decent buzz around the Lipinski-Newman race but as far as I could tell, it’s running about 50/50 there which also piqued my curiosity. I would have thought the Lipinski name was stronger there.
Also, I am surprised how few people voted early in the 23rd Ward, just shy of 1,700). Lipper could be in trouble if suburban woman turnout.
- Voltaire - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:33 am:
8th to vote in Bucktown, Chicago around 7 AM. First time voting at that location, was surprised by the small turnout, but it might be normal. It was picking up by the time I left. Not many signs or canvassers outside either.
- DuPage Moderate - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:34 am:
Pulled a blue ticket for the first time. And everyone sub-50 around me seemed to be doing the same.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:34 am:
Three Democrats running in judicial races asked me for my vote at my polling place. This was at 8am. I told them I was voting Republican. They seemed shocked.
Well done, Oswego Willy! It never gets old!
- Bill Baar - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:35 am:
I voted in Lombard for the first time. Had registered to vote back in January when I changed the address on the drivers license. They couldn’t find me in the computer at the poll and they explained there had been a delay getting information transferred from the State into the DuPage Election Commission’s system. I had my new paper voters card and my drivers license which was enough to get me into the system. Took a while but I eventually voted.
- TKMH - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:35 am:
I live right near my polling place (personally voted early a while ago, so I didn’t go in). As I was leaving for work (7:50 A.M.), there were tons of cars pulling in. Definitely a lot of activity today.
- TNT - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:35 am:
Just me and a precinct captain when my 19th Ward polling place opened at 6:00 sharp. BTW, Fritz Kaegi on the palm card…Berrios dumped by one of the few remaining organizations.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:36 am:
I know a full-time lawyer and part-time bartender who has served me many beers over the years is running for judge. Never expected to see the Billy Goat logo on a campaign sign.
- That Dude - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:36 am:
Went out and voted. Voted for Sanders in the last election and voted Ives in this one. Also voted to legalize pot in Cook county. Actually, a lot of my friends who are not voters are voting today (at least 15 I know) just to vote yes on the referendum. Cook might have a pretty good turnout because of it, but that’s just anecdotal.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:37 am:
It’s cold out there this morning on the last day of winter. Thankful that I no longer have to endure the elements working precincts on Election Day. Good luck to all those not so lucky stay warm and be civil.
- PJ - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:38 am:
==just to vote yes on the referendum===
You guys know it’s just advisory though, right?
- TKMH - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:39 am:
==I’ve lived in same place for four years, and am a regular voter. Strangely, this time, when I checked in, the election judge said “There is a mail canvas voter challenge on you.” (It was not an in-person challenge; there wasn’t a campaign watcher or lawyer present; it was just written on my record somehow).==
Wouldn’t hurt to call the ACLU or a similar organization and ask.
- Pieroge tirebiter - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:39 am:
Robert t b- postal challenge is they mailed you a new voting ID card and it was returned. Post office screw up.
- Someone Who Knows - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:39 am:
Prediction markets spiked for Ives last night… PredictIt has her at 27c (27% to win) right now. Bizarre. All over the Gonzales tweet?
- Retired Educator - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:40 am:
I live in a small town. I voted about 7:30 and was the 15th voter. They said they expect a good turnout in this election. Several local elections are being contested so there is interest. The Governor is not very popular here, we are a prison town.
- That Dude - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:40 am:
=You guys know it’s just advisory though, right?=
Def. know it’s just advisory and that most don’t govern via referendum, but still good to get our voice out and push towards it.
- Colin O'Scopy - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:41 am:
=You guys know it’s just advisory though, right?=
Yes it is “only” advisory. However, a large “yes” vote, say over 66%, could and should give elected officials enough cover to start moving in the direction to legalize marijuana in the near future.
- jakecp - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:41 am:
I was the second voter for my precinct (43rd Ward, 16th PCT, Chicago). Not much action but the election judges seemed to be unprepared or poorly trained.
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:42 am:
I live among Rauner’s supposed constituency. I’ve seen around 50 Ives signs and not one Rauner. Stopped to vote on my way to work, pulled an R ballot, and voted against Bruce V Rauner. Felt good. Polling place was empty but it was early.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:42 am:
–The Governor is not very popular here, we are a prison town.–
Illinois governors are popular in federal prison towns.
- Pieroge tirebiter - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:43 am:
Robert, all it means is they mailed you a new card that was returned. Happens all the time in Chicago. Are Gloria’s post office.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:43 am:
9 people voted at my North Suburban polling place as of 830am. 9. Apparently early voting up here was a big thing. It’s the lowest vote total at that time that I’ve ever seen.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:43 am:
==PredictIt has her at 27c (27% to win) right now.==
Wow. That means, I believe, you could plunk down $800 on Rauner for roughly a $200 profit, were this allowed in our state.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:43 am:
Robert the Bruce- Here’s a site with some contacts you might want to check out to try and find an answer about the challenge.
https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/who-call-voting-related-issues
- 60611 - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:43 am:
35th to vote in the 42nd ward, 26th precinct (Streeterville) at 8:30 AM. Seems about average for a primary. No line, but the long Cook County ballot meant all 6 voting booths were filled.
As for what I’m hearing, a suburban Republican acquaintance voted in the Dem primary to vote for Drury, but voted for Biss too. A Dem acquaintance early voted for JB because he’s the frontrunner. Detecting some movement to Kennedy among my friends in the last week, but may be too late.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:44 am:
Voted in Leland Grove(Springfield for you non-Springfield area folks) at 6:30. One person ahead of me and nobody else came in before I left. Nobody voting in the other precinct at the church.
- Real - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:45 am:
All you people saying it was pretty empty. Well, I’m sure it was as a lot of people are either still sleep or at work. I believe it will pick up throughout the day and after work. I also believe election day should be an off work day so people can vote.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:45 am:
Thank you, Pieroge. I followed up with a contact in a campaign, who looked up my voter record, said it was clean, but she was stumped.
- Avery B. - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:45 am:
Voted early in Montgomery County last Saturday. They had about 1000 early voters so far….not a Rauner sign in sight.
- MG85 - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:46 am:
Rumblings from union workers across the board from Western Illinois to Springfield say they will vote for ABQ (Anyone But Quinn). The question is, have unions done enough to consolidate the vote behind Raoul to punish Quinn for the Pension reform that cost Unions tons of cash to fight against all the way to the IL Supreme Court?
If Quinn was looking to win narrowly in Chicago and win big downstate off of name recognition in a crowded field, he may find himself in 2nd place when the votes are counted.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:47 am:
Come on Ives, you can do it. I have a bad case of the Ives, itchy and red all over.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:47 am:
Voted around 8:15 in Springfield’s Capitol 96th, was the 37th voter at that point.
- Retired Educator - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:48 am:
Wordslinger; They certainly are. lol
- GenZ - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:48 am:
We have 56 votes cast as of 9:48am at a precinct in Chicago’s 44th Ward (Lakeview).
- Lunchbox - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:49 am:
Stopped by my west suburban library to grab a free coffee and some Munchkins on the way to work (early voted two weeks ago.) At 6:30, nobody was voting.
- 60611 - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:49 am:
Forgot to mention I got a robo-call 2 nights ago here in the 42nd ward from Alderman Brendan Reilly for Kennedy. I believe robo-calls annoy at least as many voters as they turn out, but I was surprised by the endorsement.
- Truthteller - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:50 am:
In 38th ward watching the paint dry
- Wheaton warrior - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:51 am:
Just drove through Wheaton. Surprised to see no Ives or Rauner signs outside polling places. Not surprised to see no Dem governor signs anywhere.
- Ron - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:52 am:
Record early voting in the City and Cook suburbs
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:52 am:
Was voter #40 at 7:45 in my northwest corner of DuPage County. That is up from past primaries but we do have a big referendum question on the ballot.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:52 am:
Found out over the weekend that so long as a person turns 18 before the November general election, he or she may register and vote in today’s primary. So we got my 17-year-old registered yesterday and he was able to early vote too. His first time voting! Cool!
Moderate crowd at my polling place this morning, which has tables set up for several precincts.
- 50th Ward Chicago - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:53 am:
I voted at 6:30am and was number 2 for the day. Three others came after, while I was there and all chose Republican ballots. My son went to vote at 8:45am and he was the 11th Dem. Interesting small sample size that means nothing.
- Anon1888 - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:55 am:
Voted early with my wife on Sunday in Springfield. The 5 people ahead of me pulled a Democrat ballot. Pretty calm overall.
Wish Illinois held an open primary for all elections
- Lunchbox - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:56 am:
Stopped by my west suburban library at 6:30 and there were no voters in line.
- Because I Said So.... - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:56 am:
Pretty dead at my 19th Ward polling place…a funeral home. A little Election morning humor.
Actually I was the 42nd voter. Election judge said he was short workers and glad there was a lot of early voting.
The only one outside was for a judicial candidate.
- Grimm - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:57 am:
Was voter number 46 in a small town east of Springfield with a pop. of only 935 at 8am this morning.
- Chicago_Downstater - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:58 am:
Voted about 6:10 at the 48th Ward 6th Precinct (Edgewater Neighborhood of Chicago). I was something like the 5th voter.
Everything was went smoothly and the crew at the polling place seemed very solid. This is around the 5th time I’ve voted at this polling place and they always seem to have it well in hand.
A big thanks to all the volunteers at the polling places today. I’m sure things don’t always go right, but you make the process possible, so thanks again.
- Tequila Mockingbird - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 9:59 am:
My ballot was defective. It had no place on it anywhere to vote against Madigan.
Short line. Some overheard discussion of Facebook scandal. Not much energy or drama anywhere. I noticed the polling place didn’t have those stupid no guns signs posted this time.
- obiter dictum - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:04 am:
rural republican county. vote in the same place and at same time for a number of years now. low, low turnout
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:04 am:
My little Glen Carbon polling place was quiet
6:34 am I was number 2
But the poll workers
Were chipper and welcoming.
- A guy - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:04 am:
10 polling places around north central DuPage. No lines anywhere around opening time at 6 am. Maybe 6-8 cars at most of them before 6:30.
- Concerned Observer - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:04 am:
Haven’t voted. Will update when I do.
Mrs. CO reports she was #38 when she hit the polls about 9:15 am. This is a new precinct for us so no idea whether that’s good or bad, but that would be low compared to our last precinct. Of course, our last precinct was largely composed of retirees (it was located in a 55+ development, even though we didn’t live there), so who knows.
I do know this: I’m in Lipinski’s district. This morning, I got a robo-text from them that read: “REMINDER: Dan Lipinski is our current congressman. Today Democrats go to the polls to vote for him again!”
It’s literally the third contact I’ve had from Lipper, and the other two were mailers. I’ve been inundated with Newman stuff. As I’ve said, I don’t know who will win, but I know who’s trying.
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:05 am:
Almost was forced to vote provisional because of an illiterate poll worker, but was able to get an actual ballot.
- A guy - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:06 am:
At 5:45, a judge took the time to remove over 20 candidate signs near a church polling place.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:08 am:
Lonely at 8 AM in far western exurbs. One other voter in a 2 precinct station.
- ILDemVoter - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:09 am:
My polling place is inside of a high rise condo building (25th ward, Precinct 21) and had a line at 630am, which was odd. Multiple machines seemed to be off/not-functioning
Only signs that were present was Bill Lowrey and Bob Fioretti if thats worth noting…that’s all that has been around this neighborhood in general.
- Molly Maguire - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:09 am:
While voting I overheard my next-door neighbor in our liberal suburban enclave request a Republican ballot! I never suspected. Now I can practice reaching across party lines, across the fenceline.
- Steve_Judd - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:10 am:
Not much going on in quadruple precinct polling place in La Grange. Was 15th ballot cast at 6:55 a.m. with about 700 RVs. But lots of early voting, at least so they say.
Separately, a DuPage friend said his precinct was completely clogged because same two judges were handling same-day registration and handing out ballots to registered voters. Long, long lines resulting.
- Rutro - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:14 am:
I predict Pritzker signs will outnumber his votes in my 19th Ward precinct, also calling the end of taxwinkle by a suprising 5%
- JoanP - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:19 am:
Haven’t voted yet. I’m planning to do that this afternoon.
The median strips down Lake Park Avenue look like a sign factory exploded.
- Logan - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:21 am:
Line not bad in the morning. Chuy’s guys were passing out palm cards for judges within the boundary and I had to “remind” them about the cones that were marked.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:21 am:
I know signs aren’t votes, but they do indicate enthusiasm … or lack there of. Local neighborhood (except for the polling place) only has 3 politics signs total; I actually saw more “We support State Employees” signs. And the one sign for Gov, in a mostly R area, was for JB.
Local polling place is for 3 precincts. Usually flooded with signs; only has about half the normal amount.
Got a feeling it’s going to be a light turnout.
- 39th Ward Buddy - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:23 am:
Saw an 18 year young man voting for the first time before he went to school. 130 votes as of 9am at sauganash park polling location. A lot of support for Ram running for 8th district state senate.
- Suburban Mom - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:30 am:
Took my kid with me. He’s 8 and super into democracy, so he was the hit of the polling station (and nobody has ever been happier to get an “I voted!” sticker). Quiet when we went, but they said it was very busy over the weekend with early voters; makes sense in a commuter suburb, and I did see a TON of cars and people there over the weekend when I went past.
- pawn - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:35 am:
Took my 17-year-old daughter to vote for the first time. She was the third to vote in our polling place. The judges high-fived her and thanked her for voting. It was sweet.
- The Old Professor - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:41 am:
From yesterday’s News-Gazette, and keep in mind that election day is during UIUC’s Spring Break, so early voting will be heavier:
With one day of early voting to go, already 8,591 ballots have been cast in Champaign County — more than twice as many as the 3,178 early votes cast in 2014.
Almost two-thirds of the people who have voted so far in Champaign County have chosen Democratic ballots, a remarkable reversal of historic trends.
Generally Republican voters outnumber Democrats in non-presidential primary years by about 2-to-1. In 2014, for example, 63 percent of primary voters took Republican ballots. In 2010, it was 65 percent Republican.
- Northsider - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:47 am:
My wife and I voted last Saturday afternoon in Rogers Park. Someone thought it would be a good idea to put a few Ives signs up on the lawn outside the polling station.
In Rogers Park.
BWA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHAHAHA!
- The Bashful Raconteur - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:48 am:
Me and the squeeze were the only voters in our small town polling place, only 14 before us. It was great seeing high school aged volunteers working there. They seem to get a kick out of us pulling different ballots. The Yin and Yang of our community.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:50 am:
Light.
Lots of Ives signs.
Yellow yard signs stand out.
Hoping Rauner goes down tonight, but not counting on it.
- PatrickInCary - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:50 am:
My three-precinct polling place in bright red McHenry County was dead at 8:30. A neighbor happened to be there and asked me for a recommendation since he knew nothin about the gubernatorial candidates. At least he didn’t stay home….but I think a lot of registered voters will. It’s a primary with little enthusiasm
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:55 am:
I walked in to polling place at 6 a.m. in case there was a line (before getting younger son to high school early). No line–I was the first one there. They were kind of surprised they had someone so early but they were very welcoming. No one passing palm cards. 3 others came while I was there but no line–probably picked up later.
- Roadypig - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:59 am:
11 o’clock check-in at my local precinct in Decatur West Side. It leans Republican, and the judges told me that it is a moderately low turnout up to this point (115 ballots pulled)I wanted to ask if they had noticed many people changing ballots from previous registration ,but wasn’t sure if that would get me in trouble for asking
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:03 am:
Similar to Cubs in ‘16 have been struck by the lack of Rauner signs in my Republican area of Central Illinois.
So many Ives signs around town but have seen only one Rauner sign this entire primary adorning an empty lot with a bunch of other political signs.
Been surprised by the number of yards with Ives and Dan Brady signs paired together even though Brady has stuck by Rauner and Brady has his own firebrand challenger.
- HeraC - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:03 am:
Chicago - 41st ward, 2nd pct, 58th voter at 10:30. No line, smooth crew. Thank you, judges.
Plenty of signs, a few campaigners hanging around but nobody approached me or even looked my way. Maybe my pain was showing…
Scylla and Charybdis and the most conflicted I’ve ever felt pulling a ticket, weighing desire to cast votes ~for~ some vs. ~against~ others, literally until the very last minute.
- HoneyBadger - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:08 am:
A couple of Cicero polls opened after 7am today. Voter intimidation strong in Cicero/Berwyn favoring State Rep Lisa Hernandez.
- Dem in Red County - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:14 am:
Voted at 9 am in Central Illinois overwhelmingly Republican county. I pulled a Dem ballot. No Dems running in state legislative or local races. Man ahead of me was pulling a Republican ballot and complaining that all the candidates are terrible and it didn’t make much difference which ballot he pulled. Judges said there had been a steady stream of voters. Only signs out front were for JB and sheriff candidate.
- IllinoisBoi - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:19 am:
About the only Rauner signs I’ve seen in Springfield were at the State Fairgrounds, near Rauner’s temporary digs (does he actually live there?)
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:28 am:
Rich, great work ethic you have. I know it’s your busy season, but ya gotta sleep sometimes. If ya ever get outta this gig, I can maybe get ya a widget salesman job.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:31 am:
===a widget salesman job===
I tried sales. I was bad at it. I need something more than money to motivate me. I lucked into this. Wouldn’t switch jobs with anyone.
- park - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:37 am:
light in Du Page. Have to echo those who note all the Ives signs….haven’t seen any Rauner signs. I know signs don’t vote, but the people who put them in their yards (many of whom I know) do vote. Can the polls be that wrong??
Hard time deciding whether to pull a D or R…wanted to vote for Chris Kennedy. But got a mean, false mailer from Grasso yesterday so pulled the R to vote for Erika. So Ives got one from me as well.
- gmma - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:44 am:
Central Illinois report (18th congressional district): voted at 9:30 and I was number 94. Poll watchers were there from the Attorney General’s office. They seemed surprised at the turnout. Steady stream of people after me, too. Driving around town, there seemed to be a fair number of cars at other polling places, too.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:45 am:
Early voted weeks ago. I’m invited to Pat Quinn’s HQ tonight. I don’t have to be at work until noon tomorrow, maybe I’ll go for a while.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 11:46 am:
–Voter intimidation strong in Cicero/Berwyn favoring State Rep Lisa Hernandez.–
How so? Thompsons and “pineapples?” That’s how “voter intimidation” used to work in Cicero.
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 12:08 pm:
Just drove paat a polling place in Jackson. Dozens of Ives signs around.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 12:09 pm:
OK, kids, comments are now closed on this thread. I’ve got a fresh one all ready for you https://capitolfax.com/2018/03/20/afternoon-election-day-thread/