Although 2,658 people voted early in Coles County, the clerk’s office is still expecting a high voter turnout today.

“With the interest in this election, it was anticipated,” said Audrey Jorns, a deputy clerk in the election department, about the number of early voters.

She said many people would still come out to the polls today because they have shown a greater interest in this presidential election compared to previous elections.

Sue Rennels, the Coles County clerk, said the clerk’s office has registered 40,094 voters, which is higher than the 2004 presidential election.

“Many students have come in and early voted – many of them for the first time,” she said. “It is rewarding to watch their excitement as they cast their ballot for the first time.”

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

Rennels said voters need to bring one form of identification such as a driver’s license or a voter ID card when going to the polls.

She said many voters typically come to the polls before work hours, during lunch hours and after work.

“An election of the size that this one is anticipated (to be), there would be some traffic, parking issues,” Rennels said. “I have been very specific to election judges that they are not to park close to the polling site to save the space for voters.”

Rennels said the county clerk’s office’s intention is to get every registered voter to vote without any issues.

Jorns said the clerk’s office doesn’t foresee any major problems for tomorrow’s election.

“Traditionally, we look for precincts that are running low on ballots, making them watch their ballot supply, which can stay on top of because we have a ballot machine primed and ready in the office,” she said.

Rennels said no matter how well an office prepares, something unexpected will always comes up.

View Larger Map

She said from the time polls open until the time they close, she will be visiting and checking each site.

“I will be checking that election judges are following proper procedures as they have been trained, and that voters are being accommodated the best way humanly possible,” Rennels said.

Jorns said Rennels has worked closely with the 255 election judges hired to oversee the Coles County Precincts.

She added Rennels has emphasized the importance of educating the judges and being prepared for dropouts.

“The election judges are very fine people, but they have emergencies just like you and me,” Jorns said. “Sue has worked hard to make sure we have replacements for any of the positions and that we are out at 5 a.m. to make sure that all 255 are working smoothly.”

Rennels said the county clerk’s office has prepared the entire summer for the election.

She added 4,000 voters have registered since May, and the office had to get absentee and military ballots out to those who applied for them.

Rennels said in preparation for the election, polling sites had to be secured, election judges trained, ballots prepared, election supplies distributed to the proper precincts and voter equipment had to be tested.

Anyone interested in watching voter returns on Nov. 4 can visit the Coles County Courthouse or go online.

– City Editor Krystal Moya contributed to this report.

Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at 581-7942 or at [email protected].