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Politics & Government

Early Voting Sets Record Pace for Historic Elections

Highland Park residents are turning out in large numbers but remain mum about their choices.

Highland Park voters have turned out in record numbers for local and primary elections since early voting for the municipal elections began on March 14.

Through Saturday, 1,954 people have voted at the , 1840 Green Bay Rd. Early voting continues through Thursday. 

The numbers casting ballots surpass all but one early voting occasion in the city since the program was instituted after the 2005 municipal election.

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However, it has a long way to go in passing the 2008 general elections, when 6,737 votes were cast in Highland Park before the November balloting for president and other offices, according to records from the Lake County Clerk. In that contest, 39 percent of the 17,091 total turnout voted early.

Highland Park had 21,895 registered voters as of Oct. 1, reports the . 

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Highland Park leads the early voting this spring among neighboring communities. Through March 25, the city was far ahead of West Deerfield Township, with 684 votes cast, and Vernon Township, with 680, according to the clerk’s office. 

“People in Highland Park always take advantage of early voting,” Deputy Lake County Clerk Cindy Pagano said. “They have a mayoral and the [$133 million Township High School District 113] referendum.” 

Spring break for Highland Park’s schools, which started Friday afternoon and lasts until April 6, has also played a role in motivating early voters, based on a random, informal survey last Saturday morning. 

Paul and Deborah Clark were not sure they would be in town April 5 and wanted to make sure they had a chance to vote against the referendum, which would provide massive renovations to both of the district's high schools. 

“School stops in May and June, they don’t need air conditioning,” Deborah Clark said. “The money could be better allocated."

Neal Goldstein came to the voting center for the convenience of casting a ballot early. He also had strong feelings about the referendum, which was his primary issue for coming to the polls. Goldstein said he voted for it. 

“It is necessary [passing the referendum], so we need to get out to vote,” Goldstein said. “We have three kids who graduated from the high school and one more to go, so I know what they’re talking about. I’ve seen other high schools and ours is falling behind.” 

Adele McCarty, who will also be away Election Day, was spurred to the early voting center by both the referendum and the history making mayoral race between two women, City Council members  and . Rotering and Olian are the city’s first female mayoral candidates. 

“I voted for one of the women,” McCarty said with a smile, unwilling to disclose her choice either for mayor or the referendum.

Michael Tobin also saw a historic aspect to the coming election. He is the son of former Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Cal Tobin.

“This is the first time in my memory there is a complete change in city leadership,” he said.

Tobin was referring to not only the mayoral contest, but also the City Council race where all of the candidates——will be newcomers, if elected to one of the three open seats. 

Like many who turned out on Saturday, he declined to reveal his choices. 

One person who received a vote for sure was Frank. His wife, Mandi, stood in a line that was more than 20 people deep with their children, Jonah and Jane, late Saturday morning waiting to vote. She was one of 228 people casting ballots that day. 

Outside the early voting center North Shore School District 112 school board candidates and greeted voters most of the morning. Tatelli arrived at 9:30 a.m. and Ross an hour later. A paid intern for CARE (Citizens for Responsible Enhancements), the advocacy group supporting the referendum, was also there.

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