Pritzker and Bailey Make Final Appeals as Early Vote Surges

Gov. JB Pritzker and Republican gubernatorial challenger Darren Bailey are making their final pitches to Illinois voters with two days remaining before Election Day. The candidates are urging residents to cast ballots in state, local, and national races that will determine the balance of power in Congress.

Early voting has proceeded steadily across the state. DuPage County election judge supervisor Donna Ciszczon described the turnout as likely the highest she has observed in the past decade. She noted that both in-person and mail-in ballots have contributed to the strong numbers. According to the ABC7 early voting ballot tracker, DuPage County turnout stands at 21.4%. This figure is nearly five percentage points higher than the state average. Chicago’s turnout is currently 13.4%. Both figures include early voting and returned mail ballots.

The push for voter participation began earlier in the week. Bailey, a Republican, emphasized that low turnout is a factor in election outcomes. He stated that his team has refined their message to focus on affordability, safety, and education. "If we learned anything from four years ago, that was what we learned. Just low voter turnout doesn't win elections, and we've been diligent in refining our message to affordability, safety, and education. We're sticking with that," Bailey said.

Pritzker campaigned at the Apostolic Church of God on Sunday. He invoked the memory of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. while speaking to supporters. "I come here humbly to make one request of all of you: do what he called on each of us to do. Keep hope alive, and vote," Pritzker said.

Voters across the region have cited family and future generations as primary motivations. Shaira Manning said she wanted to ensure her vote counted for the benefit of her children and grandchildren. "I want to make sure that my vote counts because I have kids and I have grandkids, and I want to make sure that their future is prosperous and just just a better living, just a better life," Manning said.

Nancy Rossi, a 108-year-old resident of Wheaton, cast her ballot in person at the DuPage County Fairgrounds on Sunday. Rossi, who lives with her daughter, said she had stopped voting for 40 years due to disillusionment with political corruption. She expressed that she was greatly grateful to be able to vote again. Her daughter, Carmine Pollack, explained that Rossi believes voting is necessary to have the right to complain. "She said we have to vote because if we don't vote, we can't complain," Pollack said.

Election officials reported a steady stream of voters at polling locations on Sunday. They expect activity to increase during the final two days before the general election concludes.