The COVID-19 pandemic is creating challenges for the Cook County Clerk’s office as Election Day, Tuesday, March 17, nears.
On Saturday, County Clerk Karen Yarbrough issued a call for election judges. Election judges typically are older, and those over 60 have been more susceptible to serious illness from COVID-19.
“We are waiving all training requirements and paying $150 for working on Election Day,” she said on the clerk’s office website. “If you can help, 1) fill out the online application HERE, then email us at [email protected].”
The pandemic has contributed to changes in polling places, too. On Friday, Yarbrough was granted authority by Cook County Circuit Court to relocate polling places.
According to the list of changes published Friday it does not appear there have been changes to polling locations in Homewood or Flossmoor. Yarbrough urged voters to check the clerk’s office website before voting on Tuesday.
“As facilities continue to close on a daily basis, the Cook County Clerk’s Office is urging all who seek up-to-date information to go to the Clerk’s website and obtain information about their polling place directly from the source, and to be wary of any rumors that cannot be verified on CookCountyClerk.com,” Yarbrough said. “If polling places or precincts do not open on Election Day, or close early, the Clerk’s Office will move the polling place to the nearest practicable location. That information will be immediately available on our website, and signage will be placed at the old location.”
The clerk’s office website also noted that early voting totals through 11 days were up in suburban Cook County from the same period in 2016. A total of 110,113 suburban voters have cast their ballots so far, versus 69,698 in 2016.
Latest day-by-day updates, relocations and announcements:
www.cookcountyclerk.com/content/election-updates