New early voting 'super site' opens downtown

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Election Day is 29 days away and the Chicago Board of Elections has opened a new "super Site" in the Loop to make it easier for voters to cast their ballots.

What used to be an old Walgreens has now been transformed into the early voting site. The site will be able to handle thousands of voters each day until Election Day, the turnout expected to be very high.

Early voters were quick to discover Chicago's new early voting "super site" in the Loop at 15 West Washington.

"It's much better quicker, faster, much room, more equipment," said voter Rodney Porche.

The Chicago Election Board is hoping to ease long lines and accommodate eager voters.

"During the final week of early voting we often saw huge lines and sometimes people would give up and just put it off until Election Day. We want to make sure everyone who is encouraged to use early voting can do so as conveniently and easily as possible," said Chicago Election Board Chairwoman Marisel Hernandez.

The other downtown site at 69 West Washington has historically been swamped during peak early voting periods with 17,000 voters but this location will be able to handle 4,000 people daily and Monday. Some voters in line Monday said they made their decision on the presidential race a long time ago

"I think it's just been simple from the beginning of this that you knew who you were for," said Jacob Grant.

Christy Aronson brought her 6-year-old daughter to see how the process works, but had to shield her from Sunday night's presidential debate because of some of the crude comments from Donald Trump.

"I'm disappointed in our political process that it got to this point where I couldn't really have my daughter watch the debate last night because of the issues being raised," Aronson said.

Those who vote can get a wristband that says, "I Voted! Did You?" Election officials hope that people will take selfies with the wristband and that it will go viral.

Early voting at sites in each of the city's 50 wards will begin on Oct. 24.