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Lansing Library hosts first day of early voting

By Josh Bootsma, with information provided by the Lansing Public Library

LANSING, Ill. (October 19, 2020) – Monday marked the first day of early voting at the Lansing Public Library for the November 3 election and, true to form, it drew a large—though socially distant—crowd.

Around 75 people were in line to vote at the Lansing Library at 5 p.m. on the first day of early voting. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

Voting in a pandemic

Although early voting is not a new way to vote for many Lansing residents, it has become an even more attractive alternative to election day voting in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. As voters seek to avoid being part of a large crowd on election day and risking exposure to the virus, many are opting to vote early or vote by mail.

Lansing resident Joyce Smith usually votes by mail but does not usually come on the first day. She came on the first day this year to ensure her vote is cast. “Because of the pandemic, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I didn’t want them to shut everything down and I couldn’t vote,” she said.

First-day rush

Smith said she started standing in the voting line around 2:20 p.m. She walked out of the building at around 5:15 p.m. When she first arrived, the weather was fairly clear, but by the time she made it indoors, it had started to rain lightly. Though tired and a bit wet, she was happy to have cast her ballot. “I feel great. I voted, you know, that’s the main thing,” she said.

Even though Joyce Smith’s overall time commitment to voting was about three hours, she felt “great” after she voted. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

To limit interpersonal interaction, only 20 people are allowed to wait to vote inside the building, with any additional voters waiting outside. According to library staff, some voters started to line up hours before early voting hours started at 8:30 a.m.

Early voting is located in the Quiet Room of the library. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
Only 20 people are allowed to wait inside the library to vote. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

Angela Williams said she first came earlier in the day and saw that the line was too long. The six-year Lansing resident returned in the late afternoon with a lawn chair and waited in the slightly-shorter line. She used the chair to take a break from standing and check her email during her wait. As she was standing just in front of the library, having been in line for a little over an hour, she was impressed with how quickly things were moving. “I expected to be here a little longer than I have been … It’s moving very well. Very very well. They’re doing a great job,” she said.

“I always vote,” Williams said, “I don’t always vote early. … I just wanted to make sure my vote was counted. I just think it’s an important election.”

Angela Williams brought her lawn chair to make the wait easier. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

Shortly after 5 p.m., the line had about 75 people in it. The Cook County Clerk website has an estimated wait time viewer for all early voting locations, including the Lansing Public Library.

A Mail Ballot Drop Box is also available at the Library, and is open only during Early Voting Hours. This box provides a way to submit in mail-in ballots without sending them in the mail.

The mail ballot drop box is located directly outside the Quiet Room at the Lansing Library. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

Early voting dates and hours

Early voters can vote at the library through Monday, November 2 during the following times:

Monday, October 19–Friday, October 238:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 249:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 259:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, October 26–Friday, October 308:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 319:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 19:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, November 28:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 3: Vote at your assigned polling place.

Early voting is open to voters in suburban Cook County. Voter registration or updates to registration may also be completed on location, and the Mail Ballot Drop Box is accessible, but only during Early Voting hours. View the complete list of Mail Ballot Drop Box Locations.

The Lansing Public Library is located at 2750 Indiana Avenue in Lansing, Illinois.

More information on voting

Josh Bootsma
Josh Bootsma
Josh is Managing Editor at The Lansing Journal and believes in the power and purpose of community news. He covers any local topics—from village government to theatre, from business openings to migratory birds.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Excellent and timely article! A question, though. May a voter who only wants to use the Mail Ballot Drop Box walk directly to the box without waiting in the Early Voting line?

    • Hi John, thanks for your question. Voters looking to just drop off their mail-in ballots at the drop box can skip the line and place their ballots in the box. The drop box is located immediately to the right of the Quiet Room entrance at the library.

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