Early voting turnout has candidates scrambling

Candidates in aggressive races across the suburbs held their breath Monday as thousands of voters hit the polls weeks before the official Election Day.

Early voting has forced candidates to knock on doors, send out mailers and buy expensive TV ads much earlier than in previous elections, thus costing more money and requiring better planning.

"I do think the campaigns have stated earlier," says state House Republican spokesman David Dring, who is crossing his fingers that the GOP's late start with advertising won't be a hindrance when ballots are counted Nov. 4.

Many Republicans in particular are at risk of having early voting work against them. House GOP candidates across the suburbs have been slow to get on TV or send out mailers because they lag their Democratic opponents in fundraising.

Democrats, on the other hand, have been running cable TV ads in several races since early September as they try to knock out GOP incumbents in a bid to increase their majorities in Springfield.

Still, the majority of voters are expected to wait to punch their ballots on Election Day.

House Republican Leader Tom Cross says their campaigns are still largely geared toward voters hitting the polls on Nov. 4.

"It has somewhat of an impact on us, but we hope it is minimal," Cross said of the GOP's late start in several suburban races.

But even if candidates can't reach voters early with advertising, they are working to reach them early in person.

Democrat Bill Gentes, who is running for state Senate in Lake and McHenry County, said he has been sure to get signs out and knock on doors long before this week.

"This is changing the way we do business," says the Round Lake mayor who is running against Republican Dan Duffy in the 26th District.

In just the first day of early voting, more than 6,000 voters cast ballots across the suburbs - in some places nearly quadruple the number that voted on the first day of early primary voting.

More than 1,300 voters turned out in Northwest Cook County, part of a record one-day turnout of 7,689 for suburban Cook County, according to County Clerk David Orr. More than 400 voted in Kane County and 2,409 voted in DuPage County as of late afternoon.

Lake County reported 1,649 votes by midday, nearly triple the number that cast ballots on the first day of early voting for the primary.

Early voting in McHenry and Will counties starts today.

To vote early, voters need to go to a designated polling place with a government-issued ID. Early voting ends Oct. 30.

Grace period registration is also under way.

Nonregistered residents can sign up before Oct. 21 and vote before Election Day at a designated polling place or via absentee ballot.

Election officials across the suburbs are expecting a record turnout given the increase in voter registrations, early voting opportunities and excitement about the presidential elections.

"You add that all up," Lake County Clerk Willard Helander says, "and we are looking at a lot of votes."

Early voting information

Lake County: (847) 377-2000 or www.co.lake.il.us

DuPage County: (630) 407-5600 or www.dupageelections.com

Kane County: (630) 232-5990 or www.kanecountyelections.org

McHenry County: (815) 334-4242 or www.co.mchenry.il.us

Cook County: (312) 603-0906 or www.voterinfonet.com