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Lansing’s Early Voter turnout exceeds recent records

County data provides context for this year’s Early Voting experience

by Melanie Jongsma

LANSING, Ill. (October 25, 2020) – Data compiled by the Cook County Clerk’s office show that by the end of Day 5 of Early Voting at the Lansing Public Library for the upcoming November 3 election, total votes (2,330) have already surpassed the entire number of votes cast in Lansing during all 15 days of Early Voting for the March 17, 2020, election (2,196).

By the end of Monday, October 26, the total was up to 3,677 votes cast. That number exceeds the total early votes cast for the November 6, 2018, election (3,659).

Andrea Dyer (front) and Shirley Ridgenal were first in line Monday morning to cast their ballots. They were among the 516 people who voted at the Lansing Public Library on Monday. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

In March, the highest single-day total was 319 votes cast. In October, the lowest single-day total so far was 403, cast on Saturday, October 24. The highest day so far was Friday, October 23, with 525 votes cast.

Poll workers and library staff report that Sunday is typically a quiet day for Early Voting. That was true in March, when 32 voters cast a ballot on Sunday, March 8. By comparison, 428 voters voted on Sunday, October 25.

Early Voting for the last presidential election—November 8, 2016—totaled 3,914 votes cast at the Lansing library.

If Early Voter turnout at the Lansing library continues at the same rate, and the same daily average were achieved for the remaining 7 days of Early Voting, the total number of votes cast would reach 6,894.

More data are available from the website of the Cook County Clerk’s office:

The Lansing Public Library is located at 2750 Indiana Avenue in Lansing, Illinois. Remaining Early Voting hours are:

  • Tuesday, October 27–Friday, October 30: 8:30am–7:00pm
  • Saturday, October 31: 9:00am–5:00pm
  • Sunday, November 1: 9:00am–5:00pm
  • Monday, November 2: 8:30am–7:00pm

Tuesday, November 3, is Election Day, and then voters are required to vote at their assigned polling place.

On Election Day, polls in Illinois are open from 6:00am–7:00pm.

Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.