Chicago Polling Site Problems Bring Long Lines and Ballot Delays

Voters at several Chicago polling places encountered long lines and problems accessing ballots and voting machines on November 3. Sites in the Loop and Wicker Park also had extended waits, with voters sent to the Wicker Park library after an issue at a nearby precinct. The Board of Elections said it was adding machines and printing ballots for affected locations.

At Holstein Park, one of two precincts reportedly went several hours on November 3 without printed ballots, and had just one voting machine. The Board said it provided ballots and touch-screen machines at Holstein Park, as well as sites in the 1st Ward and District 4.

Board representative Julie Metea said the problems appeared to involve split precincts, where voters may need different ballot combinations because they live in different congressional districts. Some precincts could have as many as seven ballot styles, she said. Officials did not know how many other sites or precincts may have been affected.

Metea apologized to voters who experienced the disruption and said the Board was investigating while working to meet the need for ballots.