Chicago says 950 polling places will be open across the city
CHICAGO (WLS) -- It's Election Day and voters are heading to the polls, which are now open across Illinois.
It was already very busy at the Loop Supersite Tuesday morning with a line out of the door before polls even opened.
Despite the lines, people stood in the rain nonetheless to be among the first to cast their ballot.
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There were massive crowds at early voting sites across the city Monday.
Lines snaked down city sidewalks the day before Election Day, wrapping multiple blocks around the Loop super site, the Lakeview library, and into Lincoln Park residential streets.
People waited for hours to cast their ballot.
More than 500,000 people and counting cast early ballots in suburban Cook County. The DuPage County Fairground also had a hefty line of its own Monday.
"Well I came early because I do have to work today," voter Brie Ruiz said. "I do love serving my community but I want to feel the pulse of voting day,"
Chicago Board of Elections officials said early voting numbers are on par with the 2020 election, but what's different is people voting *later than usual this election.
"It looks like, with vote-by-mail and by early voting , we are already over half a million ballots cast," Max Bever with the Chicago Board of Elections said.
Many voters have waited until this day to vote, so there may be some lines and we urge everyone to have patience and show some kindness," Chicago Board of Elections Chairwoman Marisel Hernandez said.
Officials said they expect Tuesday to be a little quicker when it comes to wait times.
Whereas Monday there were only 52 early voting sites open in the city, on Tuesday, there will be nearly 950 polling places open for people to vote. Polls will remain open until 7 p.m.