Tribune Staff Report

The prospect of essentially holding two elections on the same day has Kane County officials urging citizens to vote early.

Voters statewide will cast ballots Feb. 5 in the general primary and, in the 14th Congressional District that includes Kane, will winnow the field of candidates who hope to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert.

Although the primary and the special congressional elections are on the same day, Kane County Clerk John Cunningham said they must be treated as separate elections—meaning voters in the 14th District who plan to cast ballots in both will have to have their voting information verified twice by poll workers and cast two ballots.

"It's not logic—it's the law," Cunningham told members of the county's Public Service Committee at its Monday meeting.

He urged voters to avoid potential lines Feb. 5 by voting in the early voting period from Jan. 14 to 31. The clerk's office has compiled voting information on its Web site ( www.co.kane.il.us/COC ). Among the online tools is a search engine that can verify a voter's registration and direct him or her to the correct polling place.

"On Election Day in 2004, we had over 9,000 calls, and 90 percent of them dealt with, 'Am I registered to vote?' and, 'Where do I vote?' " Cunningham said.

Clifford Ward

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