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PROPOSED MISCELLANEOUS ITEM OF BUSINESS
Department: County Clerk
Summary: Submitting for approval changes in suburban Cook County precinct boundaries under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Clerk’s Election Division. The Clerk proposes eliminating 169 voting precincts, changing the total number from 1599 to 1430. This reduction represents a 10% decrease in voting precincts.
The Clerk’s Election Division targeted combining precincts based upon the lower number of voters voting in precinct on Election Day, due to the great increase in voters voting by mail ballots and voters early voting. An analysis of the precincts reveals that based upon the increase in mail voting and early voting, this will not negatively affect the ability of voters to cast ballots in person on Election Day in their precinct. The Clerk’s Office does not anticipate any change in the location or number of polling places, since many polling place locations already host multiple precincts at the same location. Also, Public Act 102 - 668, signed by the Governor November 15, 2021, allows for the increase in number of registered voters in Cook County to 1800 registered voters per precinct.
Reducing the number of precincts and combining precincts will decrease costs associated with the Judges of Elections, equipment programming, and equipment delivery. The Precinct reduction is anticipated to save $200,000.00 per election in even-numbered years. In 2022 it will result in at least $400,000.00 in savings. These savings will help offset the growing cost of processing mail ballots, drop boxes, and providing more Early Voting locations.