Early voting began across Illinois for the 2018 general elections and Stephenson County has totals surpassing the 2016 presidential election and 2014 midterm elections.
As of Oct. 11, 684 early voters cast their ballots. By contrast, at this time in 2016, voters cast 661 ballots. In 2014, the number of ballots cast hit 87. The figures reflect in-person absentee-only votes, because early voting did not begin until Oct. 20, 2014.
County Clerk Vici Otte said higher voter interest in the races, along with the growing popularity of early voting drove this year’s higher numbers.
Early voting across Illinois started Sept. 27 and will go through Nov. 5, the day before the election.
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