IL Early Voting Starts Today - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

IL Early Voting Starts Today

By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com

This is the first presidential election where Illinois voters can vote early, no reason is needed to do so.

And Rock Island County residents are certainly taking advantage.

Early voting polls opened at 8 am today.

"We've had long lines since we opened today," said Karen Kinney, Rock Island County Clerk.

Everyone had their own reasons for getting their ballots in early.

Some wanted to avoid the bigger crowds on November 6th.

"The rush, and the hustle and the bustle, and get it over with so I can sit back and read the results and enjoy myself," said Jean Angel, who voted today.

Others have heard all they need to hear.

"I came early, because we don't need nothing else.  According to the debates, they happened already, two of them, we know for sure what we expect from one candidate to another," said Augustin Flores, who also voted today.

Young and old, there wasn't one type of person that came in today.

"We have such a combination of all different kinds of people, from all different walks of life, and I've noticed all age groups," said Kinney.

Election officials say early voting this year is expected to go up.

That's because they say voters are more familiar with the process.

But whenever you decide to do it, election officials encourage you to vote, period.

"I think it's a good opportunity to cast your vote, and I think that it's important that we all get out and vote," said Kinney.

You can vote early in Illinois until November 3rd.

In Iowa you can vote early, only at the county clerk's office, until November 5th.