Voter Turnout Fairly High in Some Precincts

It's closing time at the polls. So how was the turnout for this local election?

The number of voters varied widely, from 15 percent to potentially nearly 50 percent, depending on the precinct.

Toward the south-central part of town, where York Township candidates are on the ballot, Redeemer Lutheran Church had about 500 residents walk in and vote today by 5 p.m. Add to that the 300 who voted early, and that's about 37 percent of the total 2,176 potential voters at that site, according to election judge Steve Ford.

"And we have two more hours to go," he said. "If I get another 200 voters, I could get to almost 50 percent."

That's a pretty good turnout for a Consolidated Election, according to City Hall election judge Charles Pearson.

"We could hit 40 percent, but that might be overly optimistic," he said.

As of about 5 p.m., of the potential 1,200 voters at City Hall—and including early voters—450 had cast their ballot. That's about 37.5 percent.

"I've been very surprised at the level of turnout," Pearson said. "It's high considering the type of election."

It was quieter on the north end of town, where Addison Township candidates are on the ballot along with city of Elmhurst candidates.

"We are at 241 out of a possible 1,708, with about 90 to 100 early voters," said election judge Gloria Campo, who was stationed at Crestview Park.

That's just under 20 percent.

All the election judges said the turnout for this election is quite a bit lower than that of the General Election last November.

"Then, we were at more than 70 percent," Ford said.

But as the 5:08 train dropped off commuters in the center of town, campaigning was still in full force, as candidates' representatives met them with signs. 

Looks like this one is going down to the wire.