Early morning precinct reports
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Village of Barrington…
As of this morning, Tuesday, March 17 at 6:15 a.m., there is currently NO VOTING at Village Hall, and likely other Village of Barrington polling places, due to a lack of election judge volunteers reporting for duty. Unfortunately we do not have any further information for our residents as to where or how to vote at this time.
Cook County Elections Department “leases” space for elections; Village Hall is one of those spaces. We provide the building, but do not provide judges, nor do we have any authority to do so.
Before you head to your polling place today, please contact your election board for further information
Oh, man.
What’s it looking like where you vote? How are the crowds? What’s the mood? Please tell us what you’re seeing and where you’re at. Thanks.
…Adding… Daily Line…
Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Chair Marisel Hernandez told reporters Monday that the election would be the “most difficult in 100 years.”
Hernandez pleaded with “young, healthy” Chicagoans to serve as election judges by simply showing up to a polling place Tuesday.
There has been a “tsunami” of resignations of election judges, Hernandez said.
“We are in an untenable position,” Hernandez said.
But even if polling places open as scheduled, it is not clear how many voters will show up amid fears that they could get sick, or unwittingly spread the virus.
- 46th Ward - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:12 am:
I voted early but I stopped by my polling place in the lobby of my building in Lakeview just after 6am to make sure things were running smoothly. There was a short line of mostly young people which was moving fairly quickly. Everyone seemed to be in a decent mood. Hoping my polling place isn’t the exception today.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:16 am:
=== Can the losing candidates sue and say this was not a ‘free and equal’ election?===
Anyone can sue, but with early voting totals as they are abc extended early voting and mailed in ballots, doubtful it can succeed.
- Eric - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:20 am:
Evanston 3-4 and 4-4 are not open yet. No one set up voting boxes, some machines are broken, and the workers have no keys to open up equipment. Not good.
- Anon for Now - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:25 am:
Not as busy as previous years this early, but steady stream. Spirits were good, poll watchers skewed retired.
- Uncle Buck - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:27 am:
Things seemed fine in Carbondale. Looked no different than any other time I have voted.
- Retired Educator - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:35 am:
Small Central Illinois town. I was number 6 in my precinct. In normal times I was number 7. Not a big change.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:36 am:
Called Medinah Country Club’s front gate, Fox Bend pro shop… no sightings of Tom Cross, but both reminded me it’s early…
- Nitemayor - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:37 am:
3 precincts in one building, all staffed, one judge no show. At 7:34 a.m. 3, 5,8 have voted. One precinct 20 early voted out of 575 registered. Republican ballot has no contested races. (Madison County).
- Gordy O'McSorley - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:47 am:
Before jumping to conclusions, keep in mind the State’s robust vote by mail program and the fact that many folks are working at home so they don’t necessarily need to vote during the typical rush periods from 6-8 am and 5-7 pm.
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:51 am:
I am on the Chicago Board of Elections website, trying to get a sample ballot to figure our my picks before I get to the polls, and I keep getting a time out error when trying to load the ballot.
- Practical Politics - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:51 am:
The Trib is reporting that suburban Cook County has had ten percent of the election judges drop out. That’s about 850 vacancies according to County Clerk Karen Yarbrough.
It may be a long night.
- Benjamin - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:51 am:
No line in my Chicago precinct, and fully staffed. The judges were a mix of 70-somethings and 20-somethings, and all were laughing and getting along with each other.
- Watching - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:54 am:
Small town near Decatur. I was number 3 at 6:02 with about 10 behind me by the time I walked out. That’s about average for my polling place. Plenty of judges, didn’t seem like any less than usual.
First there was a mistake in the judges book telling them the wrong ballot number to give x VB precinct voting x party. They got that figured out and the first 2 ballots scanned into the 2 machines onsite both jammed. Judges called for someone to come fix it. We were told to put ballots in a slot on the back of the machines and judges would scan them in later once fixed.
Even with the fiasco taking about 20 minutes with only 2 people ahead of me, everyone seemed upbeat and took it in stride.
- The dude - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:00 am:
I will admit you couldn’t pay me enough to hang out a voting booth right now. Can’t blame the volunteers. Stay safe folks.
- Director Heath - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:01 am:
I was told that there was an hour delay for voting when I arrived to vote this morning at 6:30am at
WORTH 061 10800 S LYMAN AVE CHICAGO RIDGE, IL 60415. The Election Judges would not and did not explain why there was a delay. Thus, there were turning voters away. I might go back later
- Christopher - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:06 am:
At Ward 25 Precinct 5 in the City of Chicago, I was one of three voters present around 6:30 this morning. It looked like almost all new faces working the polls. And not a single bottle of hand sanitizer or wipes in view.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:17 am:
I went to vote at 7 am in Kane County Batavia. Normal crowd all judges there but I hen party old all voting machines off line and not working so come back sometime but they don’t know when. I was actually surprised at the number of voters trying to vote
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:18 am:
People, please confine your comments to the topic. People read this post to see what’s going on, not to watch a debate. Don’t get yourself banned.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:20 am:
Business as usual in my north suburban precinct. There were 6 election judges spread out in a large gym with the booths well spaced in the middle. Roughly 20 stations or so. Three people voting including myself. The entire process took 4 minutes.
I suspect that there will be random issues throughout the state. But that seems to be the case with any election.
- Rutro - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:23 am:
No lines in hometown, or my precincts in 19, predict turnout will be dismal.
- The Real Captain - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:24 am:
The McLean County Clerk was subtly trying to suppress voters. The local NPR station is calling her out but she has been quiet. I think it might be because as of Friday 75% of primary ballots requested in McLean County were Democratic (and that is with Campus having been on Spring break and then closed).
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:24 am:
Looked light but not much less than I recall recently - early voting is the norm here.
- historic66 - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:32 am:
I was #48 at my polling place (4 precincts) in Montgomery County at 7:50. In addition to the federal races we also have some county races, but none are contested in the primary.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:34 am:
Also, remember to tell us where you are.
- Nearly Normal - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:34 am:
North Normal—We have had less than 100. There were more early voters and vote by mail requests in Mc Lean County than in the past. Plenty of election judges 7 to handle two precincts.
- Red Raider - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:39 am:
My wife is an election judge in North Riverside this morning. An email from Karen Yarborough to her and other judges five days ago assured them that she cares for their health and they would have hand sanitizer and wipes for judges and all equipment. And…there’s neither hand sanitizer nor wipes for anyone there.
- NEWT - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:40 am:
On the north side of Springfield, my polling location at the church on Sangamon was fine. No wait. I was the 39th ballot.
Although there was definitely zero social distancing where you actually mark up the ballot. The same stations you always use.
- TheSettler - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:42 am:
3 polling places (new ones since the old refused after COVID) still don’t have equipment. No sanitizing supplies. Last minute change with no notification to voters (not even a sign up). Zero voters in one precinct. Unreal.
- lakeside - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:43 am:
35th ward in Chicago, election judge, two precincts here. We have 5 judges each, two more folks assigned today. And a woman who is usually with us is assigned elsewhere in the 35th; she came in to vote with us and said she’s one of 8 judges at her polling place.
So hope they have not accidentally stacked the wrong precincts…
- danray - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:45 am:
3rd in line in Chatham this morning. I threw away the pen I used on the way out. No crowds, people practicing safe distance spacing.
- lakeside - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:45 am:
Mood good though. Only about 25 voters. A guy who is usually here at 6a (and once 5a when he got the time wrong) rolled in about 820 since he’s now working from home and slept in.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:46 am:
Plenty if illegally placed Republican yard signs outside of my polling place this morning.
No illegally placed Democratic yard signs. (which is unusual)
I feel like some folks are getting information from different sources than others.
- corporate sellout - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:51 am:
Chicago - 11th ward, 2nd precinct. Went to go vote a little after 8am only to be told that things wouldn’t be “ready” until 12 or 1
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:52 am:
Honestly, pretty good here on the South Side all things considered. The issues are your normal ones, electronic poll books not being charged, equipment issues, etc. We were preparing for a complete disaster at opening of the polls, but everything has been rather normal.
- BobO - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:55 am:
Heard from a friend who is a poll judge in Buffalo Grove(Cook County) that none of the new machines were working and there were no sanitizing supplies provided. She had to run home to get her own. Fortunately, through 8 am, only about 30 people had been through.
- NotSaying - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:56 am:
Westchester has Home Rule on the ballot and yesterday a Trustee (pro HR) was online encouraging seniors to stay home and not vote. Two sites changed but there are no signs at the old sites to inform residents of the new location. Drove past another site this morning and saw several cars in the lot and people going in an out which was a good sign. (Voted early myself)…
- David Paul Blumenshire - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:57 am:
There is a terrific turnout in Illinois’ 105th district. I think Tom Tarter and David Paul Blumenshire are going to win. Now that’s a dream ticket if I ever saw one.
- Pyrman - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:57 am:
Madison County, voter 11 at 6:50, about normal. All the judges were present and in good cheer. Great job by Madison County finding replacement judges.
- Collinsville Kevin - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:58 am:
Collinsville Precinct 4, was voter #7 shortly before 8:00 am. Four judges, two old two young. Was asked for driver’s license which I thought was odd. Thanked the judges on the way out after voting for Bernie.
- Jon Musgrave - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 8:59 am:
We’ve only had to replace one judge but we’re running with the bare minimum of three down in one of the Carterville precincts. Of course it helps if the replacement judge doesn’t hit a deer on the way to the polling place. Of course that’s probably not the problem in Chicago.
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:01 am:
Sangamon County, Capital 54. I was 36th to vote at 7:45, so not much different than a normal primary. The election judges asked voters to use the hand sanitizer before voting. All went smoothly, and it almost seemed normal to me.
- The Edge - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:05 am:
Up to 90 ballots cast. (Oak Park) 5 judges. We are getting compliments left and right From the voters for being here.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:09 am:
Springfield. Drove by my polling place on my way to work (will vote later), and saw only Republican signs, including a Trump/Pence sign. Which maybe fits the general pattern: Republicans still aren’t taking this seriously.
- Eric - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:09 am:
Working as a judge in Niles. We have 4 judges to cover 3 precincts (all Democrats). I’m working one of them by myself- 13 voters in just over 3 hours.
- flea - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:20 am:
Gardner township 1 had 116 voters as of 9am. vote to end prohibition of alchohol only box on reverse side of ballot
- Santa M. - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:25 am:
My nephew (home from college due to virus shutdown) was put to work in a 19th Ward precinct as a fill-in for a judge who didn’t show.
- Ken_in_Aurora - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:29 am:
I early voted in Kane since I wasn’t sure if I’d be back from househunting in NH in time. I’m glad I did.
A friend who lives in Austin just checked in - his usual polling place was some kind of senior center or home, but they moved it to CPD District 15 on west Madison. No machines or ballots on hand as of 9:20.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:31 am:
North central IL, I was #10 at 8:30am in my precinct, staff was friendly and no problems. They expected a light turnout; I suspect because no real competition in the R races and the D presidential race in its last gasp of competitiveness.
- A drop in - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:37 am:
Jon, in Chicago it would have been a coyote.
- XonXoff - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:41 am:
Voted by mail this time.
- Ok - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:43 am:
Given the emails from the other day, I find this picture from the Sun-Times cover page quite ironic:
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/m9FJTvj3RCROLjjaSzlwv-O31Rw=/0×0:4000×2666/2000×1500/filters:focal(1680×1013:2320×1653):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66511439/VOTE_031820_4.15.jpg
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 9:44 am:
I’m closing this thread because we have a fresh one: https://capitolfax.com/2020/03/17/mid-morning-precinct-reports-4/