Wintry weather waits for voters

Despite today's onerous weather predictions, election officials are expecting heated presidential and local contests to attract voters to the polls in droves.

Still, they are warning voters to get to the polls early and avoid the possibility of snow or sleet storms late this afternoon -- the same time polls often are hit with a last-minute swarm.

"We are very nervous that anyone waiting until they drive home could be very slowed down on the roads and the polls will close before they can get there," said Lake County Clerk Willard Helander.

But rain, sleet or snow might do little to dampen the interest of voters who are facing their first primary in decades without a clear presidential front-runner in either party.

More Coverage Daily Herald Election Guide Complete coverage of the primary election Voting questions Cook County [2/05/08] DuPage County [2/05/08] Kane/McHenry counties [2/05/08] Lake County [2/05/08] Stories What about dropout candidates? [2/05/08] Presidential candidates kick it up in final stretch [2/05/08]

Before lawmakers moved up Illinois' primary this year, nominees had usually been picked long before votes were cast in this state.

Plus, the Democratic ballot carries two candidates -- Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama -- with strong Illinois ties. And the Republican field remains a three-candidate, largely wide-open contest.

"There seems to be significantly more interest in this election than other primaries in recent memory," said Cook County Clerk David Orr.

If turnout is high, that would buck the usual trend of mild primary enthusiasm. Generally about a quarter of all registered voters have cast ballots in recent presidential primaries.

Early voting turnout this year has been high, but the option has been offered only since 2006. The increase could be due to tight congressional races, where candidates have convinced avid supporters to vote early, Helander said.

Candidates have been fiercely battling in primaries for the 10th Congressional District in Lake and northwest Cook counties and the 14th Congressional District, which includes Elgin, St. Charles and Aurora.

The high early voting tallies and increased interest has had election officials expecting a record turnout today. But they were cautious about making such predictions on Monday with snow and rain in the forecast.

"You would figure you could predict that turnout will be good, but I thought the (New England) Patriots were going to win," joked Kane County Clerk John Cunningham, referring to Sunday's Super Bowl upset by the New York Giants.

The forecast for today has temperatures dipping below freezing by 5 p.m. with a combination of rain, sleet and snow hitting before polls close at 7 p.m.