MOLINE, Ill. — Election Day is just one week away and already thousands of voters in the Quad City area have already cast their ballots.
Election officials in Rock Island County said that this year's early voting tally is up at this point from where it was in this same election in 2018.
As of Tuesday morning, 15,367 people had voted, Rock Island County Clerk Karen Kinney said. That represents around 18% of the county's roughly 84,000 registered voters.
"It's a good sign," Kinney said. "I think people are paying attention. There's a lot to lose in this election if they don't vote."
She attributes the increased turnout from 2018 to the races on the ballot, including the governor's race and Illinois' 17th Congressional district race, which will determine who will replace Rep. Cheri Bustos.
"There's a lot on the ballot this go around," Kinney said. "If you don't vote, don't complain."
Meanwhile, Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins said at this point, voter turnout is lower than what they were expecting.
"In 2018, it was a 55% turnout," Tompkins said. "Right now we're a little low. However, we're seeing that across the state. So we're about 10% lower than what we were expecting on absentee ballots."
As of Tuesday morning, 17,513 people had voted in Scott County. The goal is to get to around 33,000 votes by Election Day, and Tompkins said the county expects around 60,000 total people to vote in the election.
"We know that the rush is going to happen this Friday, Saturday and then on Monday here in the office, so we expect that," she said. "Everybody has their, makes their own personal plan. It's whatever works for you. So we just want to make sure that people have the opportunity. They know what their options are."
Scott County has a drop-off box open 24/7 for mail-in ballots in the parking lot at the Scott County Auditor's Office located at 600 W. 4th St. in Davenport.
All ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8.
There is also a drop-off ballot box outside the Rock Island County Building at 1504 3rd Ave. in Rock Island. That box will be locked at 7 p.m. when the polls close in Illinois on Nov. 8.
Those wanting to vote early in Scott County can visit the following locations at these dates and times:
- Auditor's Office (Davenport): through Monday, Nov. 7
- open Monday to Friday 8:00-4:30
- open Saturday, Nov. 5 9:00-5:00
- Scott County Library (Eldridge): through Saturday, Nov. 5
- open 9:30-3:30
- Bettendorf Public Library: through Saturday, Nov. 5
- open 9:00-3:00
- Davenport Public Library - Eastern: through Saturday, Nov. 5
- open Monday, Wednesday 12:30-6:30
- open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00-4:00
- Davenport Public Library - Fairmount: through Saturday, Nov. 5
- open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:00-3:00
- open Tuesday, Thursday 12:00-6:00
Those wanting to vote early in Rock Island County can visit the following locations at these dates and times:
- County Clerk's Office (Rock Island): through Monday, Nov. 7
- open Monday to Friday 8:00-7:00
- open Saturday, Nov. 5 8:00-4:00
- open Sunday, Nov. 6 10:00-4:00
- Western Illinois University (Moline): through Friday, Nov. 4
- open Monday to Friday 10:00-4:00
- Silvis City Council Chambers: through Friday, Nov. 4
- open Monday to Friday 10:00-4:00
- Milan Municipal Building: through Friday, Nov. 4
- open Monday to Friday 10:00-4:00
- Moline Public Library: through Friday, Nov. 4
- open Monday to Friday 10:00-4:00
If you're voting in person on Election Day, you have to go to your assigned polling place to submit your ballots. Your polling place is based on where you live in your city.
If you live in Iowa, you can find your polling location here. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you live in Illinois, you can find your polling location here. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For a complete list of everything you need to know about this election, click here.
You can find more of News 8's election coverage here.
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