Technical difficulties halted voting processes for more than an hour across Champaign County early this morning — but those issues were resolved, and by midday, things were running more smoothly.
The Illinois Student Newsroom at IPM checked in with voters at polling locations on campus at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
First-time voter Kebron Ghedamu, a sophomore at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, cast his ballot at the polling location at Illinois Street Residence Hall.
“It’s a bit nerve-wracking, seeing that my decision plays a part in the 2024 elections,” he said. “At first I wasn’t voting but now I am because I’m realizing how impactful like these two presidential candidates can impact my life.
U of I senior David Mercado cast his ballot at the University YMCA earlier today.
“I think it’s important to vote, not just for yourself, but voting for legislation that could potentially help other people, he said. “I think voting is ultimately about creating a better society.”
Ana Sophia Zaper, a U of I sophomore, said she was redirected from the Illini Union to ISR to cast her ballot, because of long lines at the Union. She said she wishes she was a little more educated on the Champaign ballot issues.
“I’m from the Cook County area and I originally registered through there and then had to re-register in Champaign County,” she said. “I’m a little worried because I feel like I’m voting for more specific Champaign area elections and I feel a little ignorant towards the subject, because I haven’t done much research on it.”
Another first-time voter, U of I sophomore Shazia Ajmal, said she decided to cast her ballot today after some hesitation.
“I actually wasn’t gonna vote but then I saw how close the race was,” she said. “So I decided to myself, every vote does matter.”
The software issues from this morning were resolved before 9 a.m. At the time, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons said he would put in a request to the state’s attorney’s office to extend voting hours to 9 p.m., but that request has been rescinded.
When polls closed at 7 p.m., the Illini Union had roughly 200 people in line. Anyone in line before polls closed is allowed to stay and cast their ballot.
U of I senior Diana Whitfield, a first-time voter, said she would’ve voted sooner, but she was undecided until recently.
“I just didn’t know whether I was going to vote or not because I didn’t know who I was voting for at the time, so I just waited until I had a better idea and did a little more research,” Whitfield said.
Many students waiting to vote said they were frustrated that classes weren’t cancelled today. U of I junior Anna Jackson, another first-time voter, said she went to most of her scheduled classes but had to skip one to vote.
“I was surprised that they didn’t cancel [classes]. I would’ve came later, but I decided that voting was a bit more important than one of my classes,” she said.
Jackson estimates that she waited in line for three and a half hours.
“To not have the day off for something that’s important and literally impacting the country, to me just doesn’t make any sense,” Whitfield said.
U of I Chancellor Robert Jones said in October that the state legislature did not designate election day as a university holiday this year.