Election authorities in McLean County say turnout has been brisk so far for early and mail-in voting.
As of Thursday morning, nearly 10% of voters in McLean County — over 12,000 people — have already cast ballots for the Nov. 3 election.
“Usually we average 50-60 voters a day by now. We have been averaging over 100 a day for two weeks,” said McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael, whose office oversees elections in the county outside of Bloomington.
Will Nesbitt, executive director of the Bloomington Election Commission which oversees elections in the city, said permanent vote-by-mail has made it easier for voters. Nearly half of those 8,451 ballots in Bloomington have already been returned.
“That’s been more work that we have to do before Election Day that we have to do here to get those ballots out, but that will also streamline everything for Election Day. We’ll have results quicker [for] the vote-by-mail ballots,” Nesbitt said.
As of Thursday morning, 12,657 people in McLean County [including Bloomington] have voted early or by mail.
More options for early voting
The county clerk’s office offers early voting at its Government Center offices in Bloomington weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office has added weekend hours starting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the election.
Central Illinois Regional Airport will offer early voting from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 26-30 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
Bone Student Center at Illinois State University will host early voting from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 27-30 and Nov. 1.
For Bloomington voters, the Bloomington Election Commission has added the same weekend hours for early voting at its offices at 121 N. Main St.
The Parke Regency Hotel is now offering early voting from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
The Nov. 3 midterm election includes the race for governor, U.S. House districts, county board and county clerk.
The polls will be open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
