From the St. Louis Post DIspatch:

In Illinois, good turnout for early vote
By Georgina Gustin
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
10/23/2006

Hundreds of voters in the Metro East have cast their ballots in advance of Election Day, taking advantage of the state's new early voting rules.

As of this weekend, nearly 1,500 voters in Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties voted early, and election officials expect that number to double, perhaps, before the election.

"It's been a great thing," said Madison County Clerk Mark Von Nida. "It's been very successful and we're very pleased."

Early feedback from voters suggests they're happy with the new schedule, too.

"They're indicating they love the convenience. It's good they're getting their civic duty out of the way," Von Nida said. "A lot of people are saying they don't think they're going to be around on Election Day, so it's great for them."

Legislation passed last year enabled residents to vote early starting in the March primary. But the turnout of early voters for the Nov. 7 election - the first general election since the legislation took effect - is already double that of the primary.

Election officials said the law was spurred by election difficulties in recent years, and by voters who said they didn't feel they should have to provide an excuse to vote using an absentee ballot.

"A lot of it is a result of the last presidential election and the problems in the 2000 election," said Dennis Knobloch, the Monroe County clerk. "We've always heard from people who were looking to cast absentee ballots, but had to come up with an reason, like they were out of town. I think a lot of people just want to vote."

Illinois is one of 35 states to allow early voting, Von Nida said.

The early voting period ends Nov. 2.