The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #114174 Message #2480901
Posted By: Amos
31-Oct-08 - 11:39 AM
Thread Name: BS: Notes on the Presidential Campaign
Subject: RE: BS: Notes on the Presidential Campaign
The number of early voters throughout Illinois could top 700,000, said Dan White, executive director for the State Board of Elections. With absentee voters, White estimated nearly 1 million Illinois residents have voted.
By Wednesday, the top number of early voters turned out in Chicago's 42nd Ward, where 7,530 people cast ballots. The next four highest early voting totals were on the South Side: the 6th, 8th, 34th and 21st wards.
Rosemarie Bitner waited more than two hours Thursday to cast her vote at a library in Lake View.
Was it worth the wait?
"Oh absolutely," she said. "I would wait much longer for Obama anytime."
Before the polls opened Thursday morning, 85 people were in line at the 6th Ward polling place. The first people in line got there at 6 a.m., said James Allen, Chicago election board spokesman.
"They win the award for most patient, vigilant voters on the planet," Allen said.
Among Cook County suburbs, Orland Park led the pack with the most early voters, with more than 12,000 votes cast by Wednesday, according to County Clerk David Orr's office.
"I can't believe we waited in this line," Marion Caselberry said as she smoothed a fresh "I Voted!" sticker on her shirt after voting in Evanston. "Can you imagine what Tuesday will be like?"