Ministers Protest Early Voting Site

Thelma Sardin |

Last week, the Chicago Heights Area Ministerial Council held a press conference calling for the immediate closing of a local early voting site located at Chicago Heights City Hall. Early voting began in Cook County on March 14, since that time, the polling place has had high numbers of early voters. According to a recent press release, allegedly with the high volume of voters came a barrage of voting irregularities, illegal electioneering and intimidation of city and township employees.

Rev. Lawrence Blackful Jr. said he learned of the purported practices from visiting the early voting sites. He said residents informed him of several incidents and he received several phone calls from city workers who felt their job was in danger because they did not support a certain candidate.

Blackful said the closing of the early voting site would send a strong message. It would say [we] do not support [such activity], he said. The minister added that voting irregularities had not been reported at the other sites, only in Chicago Heights.

Blackful said the decision to shut the site down would hopefully stop voter disenfranchisement. He added that it is important that city employees do not feel intimidated because of their political choices.

Courtney Greve, spokesperson for Cook County Clerks office said the first day of early voting was the most hectic. She confirmed there was one related arrest and the Cook County Sheriff was notified of inappropriate electioneering. By law, there is a 100ft campaign free-zone that campaign workers must abide by to uphold the authenticity of ballots cast.

In addition, un-registered individuals attempting to vote have been consistently turned away. Election judges are continuing to verify voters by checking government issued IDs.

When asked the purpose of the news conference, Blackful said it was to ensure the community is aware of [whats] happening. The measure would also hopefully secure more resources from the Clerks office and law enforcement on Election Day.

Greve also told the Citizen that the Clerks office will provide extra staff on April 5th at the site to ensure the voting process runs smoothly.

Although the Council called for the Chicago Heights early voting site closing, Greve told ABC7 News that the Clerks office had no plans of terminating the location at this time.

Early voting ends in Cook County on March 31.

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