Hundreds in Central Illinois have already voted early

PEORIA (WEEK) - More than 200 people across Peoria, McLean and Tazewell Counties have voted in the June primaries, less than a week after early voting opened.

Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman says around 60 have already come in-person to vote early at two sites since last Thursday. The county has already sent out more than 1,300 vote-by-mail ballots, more than Peoria and McLean combined.

“It normally starts off slow, and that’s what it’s proving again this year, a slower start,” Ackerman said. “It will pick up really in the last couple weeks as we get closer to the election in-place early voting.”

Still, Ackerman says vote-by-mail numbers were even higher in the height of the pandemic. Ackerman himself is running for re-election this year, but is unopposed on the June primary ballot.

In McLean County, 67 have voted early, and in Peoria County, it’s more than 100. The June primary ballots include various local races like school boards, sheriff’s and representatives. The Republican ballot also includes the party’s several candidates for governor.

“I think we’re seeing some of our early voters switch to vote by mail and more people move to vote by mail,” Peoria County Election Commission Executive Director Tom Bride said.

Both Bride and Ackerman say no matter what method voters use to cast their ballots, they expect good turnout in the June primary, which takes place on June 28.

In Peoria County, you can vote early in-person at the Election Commission. In many other counties, you can vote early at the County Clerk’s office. You can also request a mail-in ballot until four days before Election Day.