SYCAMORE – Election Judge Bob Hadley of DeKalb had one word to describe voter turnout for the primary election: terrible.
For 45 minutes, nobody came to vote at the Hopkins Park Terrace Room, where residents of DeKalb Precincts 6, 13 and 14 cast their ballots.
“We were the busiest from 8 to 9 a.m., and then around lunchtime,” Hadley said. “There’s been an average of about 25 people per hour, but it’s very slow. There seemed to be more voters in the last primary.”
Things changed fast in the afternoon.
With a rush at the end, 14,467 of 56,809 registered voters cast ballots – a 25.5 percent turnout compared with 23.46 percent in the 2017 spring election. Voter turnout for the consolidated election in 2015 was 8 percent; in 2013 it was 22 percent, and in 2011 it was 12 percent.
Things turned around near the end of the day, however, and DeKalb County Clerk Doug Johnson said he was happy with the turnout.
“I think it was good for a primary,” he said. “Some areas saw more voters than others, especially where they were trying to pass a referendum. Everyone was slow in the afternoon, but a rush near the end.”
Voters in Illinois chose Democratic and Republican nominees in what’s shaping up to be the most expensive election for governor in U.S. history. Combined, Republican
Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic businessman J.B. Pritzker spent $120 million out of their own pockets so far on the gubernatorial race. While Pritzker cruised to victory, Rauner faced a tight race with state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton.
Kate Granton, who voted in DeKalb’s 13th precinct, said she definitely noticed an increase in political ads on TV and the radio.
“I watch the commercials, then go online to do my research and then decide,” Granton said. “The state isn’t doing too well financially – we’re broke. That’s why it’s so important for people to come out and vote. Things need to be turned around.”
Early voter turnout was up this year. Illinois elections officials said the state had more than 437,000 early votes cast before Tuesday’s primary election. Early voting was available from the 40th day before an election through the day before an election. Voters also could mail in their votes.
Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich said Tuesday afternoon that the number of early votes is more than double what the turnout was in the previous nonpresidential primary year.
Other voters, such as Jennifer Corbin of DeKalb, said she always votes the day of the election.
“I always come to vote because I was raised by parents that taught me the importance of voting,” Corbin said. “My 91-year-old mother always votes, and I taught my four kids the importance of voting, too. … I think every vote matters, which is why I always come to vote. I’m a little sad about the turnout, though. It’s not very busy, it’s pretty slow. Maybe more people will come later in the day after work.”
Joe and Lois Lathrop of DeKalb Precinct 13 said they vote during every election because it is their civic duty.
“We always vote because we believe in our country and our democracy,” Lois Lathrop said. “Something has to change. There is fighting, shooting and madness. We must ask our government why and vote to change things.”
• The Associated Press contributed to this story.