What a difference fours years has made. It has become fashionable to bemoan the state of presidential politics and blast the negative tone of campaigns. But in fact, this election has been a pleasant surprise. Compare this election and the relatively brief appearance of William Ayers to the barrage of Swift-Boat attacks on John Kerry in 2004. Some of this is because the American people have clearly tired of slash-and-burn campaigns. But much of it is because the two candidates are men of decency and honor.
So, with less negativity and the uncertainty of the national economy to energize voters, the 2008 election has people storming the early voting polling places, and County election officials are bracing for record numbers on Election Day. About two-thirds of states in recent years, including Illinois, have expanded early voting, and candidates have urged supporters to take advantage, touting the "security" of voting with a paper ballot early instead of a machine on Election Day and stressing ease of access.
The more opportunities the people have to vote, the more likely it is they end up voting, and with people's busy lives, early voting is often more convenient. Experts predict that up to a third of voters this year will register their choices early, in person or through the mail, up from about a fifth in 2004.
Kendall County early voting numbers
Although the early voting numbers in Kendall County are not approaching some of those high predicted national percentages, the figures are higher than they’ve ever been. According to election officials in the County, the Oswego early voting polling location has had 2,448 early voters as of the close of polls at 5 pm, Monday, October 27.
As of that same date, the Yorkville location has had 1,988 early voters. Not counting early voters from some Aurora precincts, this total of about 4,500 early voters may represent about 11 to 12 percent of Kendall’s overall voter turnout. With an estimated 60,000 registered voters in Kendall County, a 70 percent turnout would mean about 42,000 voters would exercise their most precious right as a citizen.
Those numbers are bound to go up as early voting closes at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, at both the Oswego and Yorkville locations.
How early voting has changed elections
Early voting will has had an impact on campaigning over the last weeks of an election.
“As supporters vote, candidates cross them off their target lists, and enable campaigns to shift their efforts to those who remain on the fence,” said Keith Wheeler, Chairman of the Kendall County Republican Central Committee. "They can really focus on the undecided voters, if there are any left, in the final days of the campaign. It simplifies the job in the 11th hour.”
That, according to Wheeler, has changed the mechanics of grass-roots campaigning. The final two weeks of the campaign amount to a prolonged get-out-the-vote effort, he said, with volunteers knocking on doors and making phone calls.
For all of these reasons, Wheeler urged an audience of 80 Republicans at last week’s Republican Central Committee meeting to offer their time and talent to help get out the vote by walking, calling and letter writing. With only one week to go, Wheeler feels the effort can make the difference in several races, including helping Terri Ann Wintermute unseat Linda Holmes in the 42nd State Senate District, enabling Debbie Gillette to hold off the challenge of Patricia Feeley for Kendall County Clerk and Recorder, and keeping the Kendall County Board 100 percent Republican.
