Chicago early voting outpaces 2022 midterms
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Chicago voters are casting early ballots at a faster pace than during the 2022 midterm elections, according to the Chicago Board of Elections.
Why it matters: With just over a week until Election Day, early turnout is running 10% ahead of the same point in 2022, although that doesn't necessarily mean overall turnout will be higher.
By the numbers: As of Sunday, 126,349 Chicagoans had voted early in person or returned mail ballots, compared with 114,835 at the same point before Election Day four years ago.
- In-person early voting was up 29%, with 67,914 ballots cast.
- Mail voting was down 6%, with 58,435 ballots returned.
Zoom in: More than 240,000 Chicago voters have requested mail ballots this election, meaning many ballots will arrive before the counting is complete.
The state of play: The 19th Ward on the Far Southwest Side leads Chicago in early voting, with 2,429 ballots cast through Sunday.
- The 15th Ward, which includes Back of the Yards, has recorded the fewest, with 518.
The bottom line: Chicagoans are voting earlier than they did in 2022, but Election Day turnout will determine whether that translates into greater overall participation.