PEORIA, Ill. – The head of the Peoria County Election Commission says Tuesday’s primary was a “smooth” day.
Executive Director Elizabeth Gannon says turnout for the primary was close to 18%.
“Not where we want to be but still pretty good turnout for a primary in an old year,” Gannon said.
Tuesday’s primary in Peoria decided who the top two contenders in the April 1st consolidated election for the city’s mayor, District Two City Councilman, and Treasurer. Republicans in Peoria Township also voted for an Assessor to run unopposed in the consolidated election.
Gannon says last night’s results are not official yet, as provisional and mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day will still need to be counted. She says those will be counted for the next two weeks, with certification of the results on March 12th.
After the results are certified, Gannon says it will be a quick turnaround to begin early voting in Peoria County.
The primary’s 18% turnout tells Gannon that there’s not a lot of interest in odd-year elections, which she says “hurts my heart.” She says the consolidated elections are vital because of the impact it has on people’s lives.
“These are the elected officials that are deciding how your tax dollars are spent, how those budgets are created, and where that money is allocated,” Gannon said. “That’s what’s really affecting your day-to-day life are these people.”
Consolidated elections feature elections for mayors, village presidents, city councilmen and aldermen, as well as school board members.
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