Early voting through the roof

Early voting
More than 1 million Illinoisans voted early this election. (WJBC file photo)

By RFD Radio/WFMB

SPRINGFIELD – The day is finally here.

It’s Election Day around the nation, but the true impact of the day has changed dramatically because of early voting. The numbers are up around the United States and Illinois is no different.

The Illinois State Board of Elections says that between all the ways you can vote early the totals are staggering. About 1.6 million have voted early. Spokesman Jim Tenuto said it’s a continuing trend.

“I think it’s a new normal,” Tenuto said. “If they are doing same day registration at the polling place, the lines could back up even more. People could be be in for a longer wait. It would be more advantageous just to early vote.”

Using figures of past elections and turnout here in Illinois it appears nearly one third of voters have already committed.

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