Voter turnout has been light so far in McLean County, based on early and mail-in voting before Tuesday's municipal elections.
McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael, whose office handles all voting in the county outside of Bloomington, said Friday the office has received slightly more than 800 ballots so far, through mail and early voting.
She expects low turnout, especially since many communities don't have contested races.
“We might see 30 percent turnout in the Normal precincts but the total average for the entire county, not counting the City of Bloomington, I’m guessing optimistically 20 percent,” Michael said.
Bloomington Election Commission Executive Director Paul Shannon said Friday that 410 voters had cast ballots through early voting. He's not expecting big numbers on Election Day.
“This year with an off-mayor (election) it is about what we are expecting,” Shannon said. “We are not expecting a very large turnout. I would guess under 10 percent.”
Bloomington hasn't counted mail-in ballots.
Normal has three of its town council seats up for grabs, while Bloomington has races in each of its even-numbered wards.
Unit 5 and Heartland Community College school boards have contested races; District 87 does not.
The McLean County clerk's office handles early voting on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at its offices at the McLean County Government Center, 115 E. Washington St., rooms 100-102. The clerk's office ran early voting at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center until Thursday.
Bloomington offers early voting on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at its offices at the Government Center, room 403.
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