The special election to determine who will fill the 18th Congressional District seat vacated by Aaron Schock brings a variety of challenges, and some unexpected costs, for election officials — and some confusion for voters. “We had a man come in for early voting, but he doesn’t live in the 18th Congressional district so couldn’t vote,” said Paul Shannon, executive director of the Bloomington Election Commission that coordinates elections within the City of Bloomington. McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael, who administers elections outside of Bloomington and within the county, said the same thing has occurred in her office. McLean County is split between two Congressional districts, the 18th and the 13th. Only voters in the 18th can cast a ballot in the July 7 special election.
Michael has printed large maps for polling places that show the division. For instance, Bloomington precinct 2 is in the 18th district, but not everyone who votes at the polling place for Bloomington 2 lives within the 18th district. The same is true for the polling place that handles voters from Normal precincts 1, 9 and 11.
“Of the 56 precincts in the 18th, eight are split,” Michael said. She and Shannon said voter cards show Congressional districts. Voters also can go to house.gov/representatives/find, put in their address and find their Congressional district.
Full Article: Special election brings challenges, extra costs.