Macomb, IL – McDonough County's next clerk believes early voting will increase in popularity and she wants to take advantage of that to increase participation by WIU students. Gretchen DeJaynes says she will recommend that an early voting polling place be set up at Western. She plans to work with the county board, the university and students to determine the best place and times for early voting. But in order to do this, DeJaynes says the county will need to do away with the polling place at Western Hall. She says the county cannot afford the extra early voting site and that polling place. DeJaynes says only students living in residence halls can vote at Western Hall, but any registered voter in McDonough County could cast a ballot at the early voting site on campus. She says the change would save the county about $6,000 over a four year election cycle. DeJaynes also says election day turnout has been extremely low at Western Hall - even small rural precincts attracted more voters last week.
Early Voting at WIU
