It’s officially primary election week in Knox County and in the State of Illinois.
Voters are now just two days away from the big day which will feature a number of contested primary bids locally including races for the 74th Legislative District, 17th Congressional District and Knox County State’s Attorney.
Knox County Clerk Scott Erickson says there a number of things to know before voting. Illinois law requires voters to pull either a Republican or Democratic ballot on Tuesday.
And Erickson tells Galesburg’s Morning News on WGIL that along with a Presidential selection, the ballot will feature delegate selections and for Republican voters, additional alternate delegate selections.
“You’re voting for the Presidential candidates themselves and then you’re voting for delegates,” Erickson says. “On the Republican side–delegates and alternate delegates, which confuses people and makes my ballot twice as long because I have to put on another 40 to 50 people onto the ballot to analyze. That’s going to be the most confusing thing and different looking thing from what we normally have from our regular candidate races that we normally have on there.”
Delegates voted through will be able to cast a vote for their candidate at either the Republican or Democratic National Conventions in July.
Erickson says that voter turnout in Presidential election years is often higher. He adds that primaries can be “hit or miss” some years, but hopes to see a 20 to 30 percent turnout this year.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
