A little more than 1 percent of eligible voters cast early ballots in this year's municipal elections, according to voting returns released Wednesday. Of 270,000 eligible voters, only 2,490 visited one of the city's 14 polling sites during early voting, which ended Tuesday. Election administrators mailed 975 ballots, but only 677 were returned.
Turnout looks like it is going to be pretty dismal.
Election day is Saturday. Typically, about 5 percent to 6 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in municipal elections, city officials said. In District 6, Councilman Clyde Picht is being challenged by first-time candidate Troy Thorn. The council's most senior member, District 3 Councilman Chuck Silcox, is running against his former aide, Cheryl Walz. The District 2 race is a rematch between longtime incumbent Jim Lane and Northbrook Neighborhood Association President Larry Stevens.