Early voting measure is now reality n Illinois

A new state law gives voters in Illinois more time to vote, and has candidates rethinking campaign strategies.

Voters may now cast their ballot prior to Election Day without having to provide a reason for voting early. The current absentee ballot system, which allows physically disabled individuals and persons who will be away from their residence on Election Day to vote early by mail after providing a reason, will still be available.

Early voting in the March 21 primary election in Illinois will take place from Feb. 27 to March 16, according to the State Board of Elections. Local jurisdictions determine where people can vote early and during what hours.
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Although votes cast during the early voting period will not be counted until the polls close on Election Day. And since many candidates often do extensive campaigning as Election Day nears, campaigning strategies could change if more people vote early.

"Candidates are trying to reassess how they are going to time their campaigns," said John Tsarpalas, executive director of the Illinois Republican Party. "In the past, there was sort of a tried-and-true schedule with when to make calls and when to mail things."
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He said Iowa does have mail-in ballots for people overseas or away from their primary residence on Election Day; satellite polling places, when local officials allow votes at places like malls and grocery stores on days other than Election Day; and absentee ballots, which Iowa residents do not need a reason to request. When the votes are counted, he said, all of these get put together and are called "absentee ballots."

Mr. Hedgecoth said a "substantial portion" of the state's votes comes from absentee votes, adding that in Iowa's 2004 general election, 460,059 out of 1,497,741 total votes were absentee ballot votes.
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WHERE TO VOTE EARLY:

The new state law requires early voting be made available throughout the state, but local jurisdictions determine where people can vote early and what hours early voting is available. Voters must show a valid photo ID to vote early.

1) Rock Island County Clerk's Office, 1st floor, 1504 Third Ave., Rock Island, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sat., March 11, 9 a.m. to noon

2) Henry County Courthouse, Election Authorities Office, 307 W. Center St., Cambridge, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sat., March 11, 8 a.m. to noon.

3) Whiteside County Courthouse, 200 E. Knox St., Morrison, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

4) Mercer County Courthouse, 100 Southeast 3rd St., Aledo, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday hours to be announced.

These times and locations apply for early voting only. Election Day and absentee ballot rules and regulations, and voting hours and locations may be different.

Early voting provisions are a good thing for the simple reasons that it both makes voting more convenient, and, with any luck, will increase voter participation. Your thoughts?