Early voting achieves record numbers in Cook County

More than 11,000 suburban Cook County voters cast their ballots for the March 15 presidential primary in the first two days of early voting, including a record-setting number on the first day Monday, according to Cook County Clerk David Orr.

By the time the last of Cook County's 44 voting sites had closed Monday, 6,937 voters had made their choices in the primary. At the end of two days of early voting, 11,468 ballots had been cast.

"Since early voting first went into effect in Illinois in 2006, we have seen its popularity steadily increase," Orr said. "This election we have races from president to countywide offices that are generating a lot of interest, and voters appreciate the convenience of being able to vote before Election Day, on their own schedules."

For a list of early voting locations and hours, visit cookcountyclerk.com.