Voter turnout down so far in Chicago, as polls are open for Election Day in primary races

Michael Johnson
·4 min read
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CHICAGO — Election Day is here.

The 2024 Illinois primary election reaches its conclusion Tuesday, and polls opened in the City of Chicago bright and early at 6 a.m. They close at 7 p.m.

Who’s on the ballot? Previewing the Illinois primary election and its impact

Early voting began in Chicago two weeks ago, but voting is down so far in comparison to previous primary elections, according to the Chicago Board of Elections.

The City of Chicago alone has 1.7 million registered voters, but turnout was sitting around just 7.7% through the early election period, which ended Monday.

By 9 a.m. on Election Day, after three hours of the polls being open, that number had reached 10.41%, or a total of 176,649 votes cast by registered Chicago voters. That includes early voting, mail-in ballots and those voting in person Tuesday.

The Board of Elections is hoping to reach at least 30% turnout this year by the time the polls close Tuesday night.

However, low voter turnout could be driven by what’s happened already in the presidential primaries. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump already reached the number of delegates necessary to become their parties’ presumptive nominees before Tuesday’s Election Day in Illinois.

Official nominations won’t come until the conventions this summer, but low early voter turnout could be due to a lack of drama in comparison to other presidential primaries, which typically drive interest and votes down the rest of the ballot.

Still, Board of Elections officials remain optimistic that voter turnout will increase as Tuesday goes along.

“We would like to see more of the 2016 presidential primary turnout, which was almost 54%,” Board of Elections Commissioner Marisel Hernandez noted Tuesday. “So we’re hoping that today, voters will come out and vote.”

Aside from lower turnout, election officials say things have been running smoothly at the polls Tuesday. Officials say enough election judges showed up and haven’t dealt with any major issues or delays.

A lot at stake locally

There’s certainly a lot at stake in this year’s primary elections, aside from the presidential tickets.

In the city, the Bring Chicago Home ballot referendum asks voters to allow the city to increase a transfer tax on properties worth $1 million or more to raise funds to address homelessness.

There’s also the heavily-contested race happening in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District and a big spotlight on who could replace Kim Foxx in the Cook County State’s Attorney seat, since she’s not running for re-election.

The Democratic primary winner is expected to win the general election in November in both of those races.

Voters who came out Monday on the last day of early voting stressed the importance of the local primary races.

“People don’t realize that local elections really matter,” said Dora Cornelio, an early voter. “There are a lot of judges on the ballot right now, and these are the elections that people should come out to vote.”

Another voter said if you don’t vote, you can’t complain about the results.

“Why do you want to complain about something, and you don’t want to do nothing about it?” Demar Payne asked. “It’s about ‘doing.'”

Voter Liz Guhl said Tuesday it’s important for every Chicago resident to exercise their right to vote.

“I know it can seem like you’re just one person, but one is one of many, right?” she said. “When we all come together and place our votes, that’s when change happens.”

Fellow voter Robert Bernstein agreed.

“As a person who lives in Chicago, I think it’s important that we vote for people that we want, and for people we don’t want, in the election,” he said. “And that’s why I come out.”

As long as you’re in line by 7 p.m. Tuesday, you’ll be allowed to vote before polls close. Check the Board of Elections website to find your assigned precinct polling place.

Check in at WGN News’ Local Election Headquarters for all the Election Day coverage.

Voter turnout stats

Here are the voter turnout stats, provided by the Board of Elections, as of 9 a.m. Tuesday:

Total ballots cast: 176,649 out of 1,697,498 registered voters in Chicago (10.41% citywide turnout).

Ballots cast by age group:

  • 18-24: 5,183 (2.93%)

  • 25-34: 20,159 (11.41%)

  • 35-44: 22,949 (12.99%)

  • 45-54: 23,275 (13.18%)

  • 55-64: 34,417 (19.48%)

  • 65-74: 41,070 (23.25%)

  • 75+: 30,289 (17.15%)

Ballots cast per hour on Election Day:

  • 6-7 a.m.: 3,043

  • 7-8 a.m.: 5,031

  • 8-9 a.m.: 9,115

Total ballots cast on Election Day: 17,189

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