Where can I vote: Long lines, long waits on last day of early voting before 2024 Election Day
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicagoans looking to cast their ballot before Election Day found themselves waiting in lines that wrapped down and around multiple blocks and lasted, in some cases, for several hours.
Monday is the final day for early voting in Chicago and the suburbs, and the lines were long no matter where you went.
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Some people who saw the long lines at early voting sites in other parts of the city Monday morning bailed and came to the downtown Supersite, where the line was not so bad. But the Chicago Board of Elections said that as a silver lining of shorts, the lines should be shorter on Election Day.
"So Monday, the day before election, we only have 52 early voting sites open election day. We have over 945 polling places open for people's votes," said Max Bever, public information officer for the Chicago Board of Elections. "Generally, we see about a half hour for precinct polling places."
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The Board of Elections would like to double the number of early voting sites so there would be 100 of them across the city, alleviating the long lines. But that takes money that may not be readily available.
Lines at the Supersite moved faster than in many other polling places, but still stretched down the block and around the corner as scores of last-minute early voters waited to fill out their ballots.
"I was hoping it would be shorter because it was the day before the election and it's also the day after the weekend, but it was a lot longer than I thought it was going to be," said Kevin Theis, voter.
Two sisters from Puerto Rico who are voting for the first time were first in line at the Supersite Monday morning.
"It's very important to be heard and just say what we want at this time," Valeria Alvarado Berrios said.
And it's a good thing they did because thirty minutes after Valeria and Fabiola showed up, the line grew all the way the next street over.
"I've heard that people are waiting up to three hours in line or just to get into the building," Valeria said.
They came more than prepared to vote, even filling out practice ballots where they studied the policies of every single candidate.
"We still did our civic of duty that that is to make sure each candidate is qualified," Valeria said.
In Oak Park, at Cook County's early voting site, it took Larry Fairchild three tries and a two-hour wait for his big moment in the ballot box. He had tried voting earlier twice, but didn't want to wait. Monday's warmer weather motivated him and hundreds of others to stick it out. Wait times were posted similar to rides at an amusement park.
"It took me about 2 hours easily just waiting for this big moment to happen," Fairchild said.
"I'm ready to get it out of the way and make my family proud," said 19-year-old first-time voter Leo Laudadio.
Helena Talavksi, 25, who was waiting at the Downers Grove site in DuPage County, said she is the last of her friends to vote
"Young people really care about this election because it is our future, its feel like a lot is riding on this one," she said.
For many voters, Monday was an exercise in patience as well as their civic duties. Many passed the time on their phones; others prepared and brought a book.
"I got here at about 1:41 I know for a fact. I got dropped off on Clark. I had no idea how long it was going to take, but this is my second attempt to vote today, so I came prepared this time," said voter Katie Jo Schuler.
"It's been four hours, a little hungry, but someone's handing out pizza so that was nice," said Zach Weiner, who was waiting to vote in Lincoln Park.
"I think it speaks to how excited people are to vote which is gratifying especially seeing a lot of younger people, it's exciting," said Andrea Vallejo, voter.
According to the Chicago Board of Elections, as of last week, Chicago Gen Z-ers under the age of 25 and who are registered represented the smallest percentage of those who had voted early at just four percent.
"I'm afraid that whatever happens tomorrow and with whoever wins might have an impact on how I feel safe here," Fabiola said.
Others said work obligations tomorrow brought them in Monday.
"Big conference tomorrow for work so, I'll make sure my vote is in," said Patrick Foley, who was voting in DuPage County. "I don't trust the paper ballot, I'm going in myself."
Voters like Kenneth Kutemeier, who do trust that their mail in ballots will be counted, said it was a lot easier than standing in line for two hours. Regardless political affiliation, voters are nervous about the outcome, but relieved the contentious presidential race is almost over.
"It's been a little stressful, you try not to think about it a lot, but you know you have to," Kutemeier said.
"We weren't necessarily debating the issues, but we were debating personalities, which is not a way to run a country," said voter Warner Kiunte.
"Sometimes, I'm embarrassed by our politics right now compared to other countries," said Laudadio.
With both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump nearly deadlocked in key swing states and national polls, it's left feelings of uneasiness.
Fabiola said she was "nervous" and Valeria said she was, "very anxious."
Those feelings of nervousness are something a lot of people have been telling they're feeling.
The Supersite is open until 7 p.m. as are most early voting sites in the city and suburbs. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
