Early voting in suburban Cook County shatters records

More than 25,500 suburban Cook County voters cast their ballots on the first day of early voting Monday, nearly doubling the previous first-day record set before the 2012 presidential election.

Early voting began at 52 suburban location Monday, including village halls in Arlington Heights, Barrington Hills, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Streamwood.

"This is an incredible testament to the rising popularity of early voting," Cook County Clerk David Orr said Tuesday. The clerk's office increased the number of designated early voting sites for suburban Cook County voters to 52 for the upcoming election, up from 44 in the March primary. Early voting sites will be open to all eligible suburban Cook County residents through Monday, Nov. 7. Voters do not need to provide a reason in order to cast a ballot prior to Election Day. Voters can find a list of the early voting locations and their hours at cookcountyclerk.com/EarlyVoting