FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nick Shields: 312.603.6952 March 14, 2016
[email protected] James Scalzitti: 312.603.0991
[email protected] First Presidential Primary with Election Day Registration, 17 YO voters Polls open Tuesday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. More than 1.4 million suburban Cook County residents – a record number for a presidential election – are registered to vote in tomorrow‘s Presidential Primary Election, according to Cook County Clerk David Orr. This is the first Presidential Primary election where recent changes to state law such as Election Day Registration and 17- year-old and voting, will be in effect. “These changes I’ve championed for years, to make registration and voting easier, have helped to drive registration and turnout before election day,” Orr said. “We’ve already broken records in early voting and voting by mail in this election. From the presidential races to some countywide and state legislative races, there’s a lot that’s generating interest and excitement. Elections matter, and primary elections matter especially so.” Suburban Cook County Pre-Election Day Voting in Presidential Primary Elections 2008 2012 2016 Total % Change Total Total (unofficial) 2012-2016 Registered Voters 1,350,580 1,394,649 1,443,261 3.5% Early Voting 51,116 37,209 102,408* 175.2% Grace Period Voting 561 626 5,245* 737.9% Mail Voting Returned/Applications 8,835/13,523 9,667/12,651 17,240/37,166** 193.8% Total Pre-Election Ballots 60,512 47,453 124,893 163.2% Total Ballots Cast 585,449 329,837 tbd tbd % Pre-Election Ballots 10.3% 14.4% tbd tbd Overall Turnout 43% 24% tbd tbd *As of 3/13/16 at 3 p.m.