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WGLT's reporting on the November 2020 election cycle.

Lowered Expectations For McLean County Voter Turnout

Sign outside polling place
Jacob DeGeal
Polling places might be less crowded Tuesday, according to McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael.

Among the many uncertainties the coronavirus has created in central Illinois is election turnout.

"That is the question of the decade," said McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael.

Michael said she had been estimating between 50% and 60% voter turnout. Not any more.

"As you know sometimes, we get hundreds and even a couple thousand at Illinois State University. I'm guessing that number will be down considerably," said Michael.

Michael said she is now guessing less than half the registered voters in the county will go to the polls Tuesday. One factor that counters the feeling, she said, is that early voting has been higher than usual. Michael said she's also unsure how much rural turnout will be affected by the virus.

She said the fact most Democratic candidates for president dropped out is also likely to lower turnout.

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WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.
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