CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Record numbers of mail-in ballots keep surging across the country and in Chicago and the suburbs, which could impact when results trickle in who are the winners and losers.
Some clerks in Chicago's collar counties say they expect business as usual on election night with some races already decided. But, in cases where races are close and mail-in ballots are returned on or close to Nov. 3, it could be some time before winners are determined.
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked Nov. 3 to be counted, even if they arrive later.
Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor told the Beacon News in Aurora that people are calling the days leading up to the big day election week, due to the possibility of delayed results from the surge in voter turnout.
If mail-in ballots are not in the mail yet, clerks are urging people to hand deliver them or swap them for in-person voting.
Marisol Hernandez, chair of the Chicago Board of Elections, said there is still time to vote for those who have not done so yet. She encourages people to make a voting plan as soon as possible.
"For those that have not registered to vote, cast their ballot or returned their mail-in ballot, there is still time," Hernandez said.
Chicago has seen about 326,000 vote by mail ballots since Oct. 27 and a record of over 500,000 ballots counted so far, according to the Chicago Board of Elections.
As of Friday, about 831,000 vote by mail ballots remained outstanding, out of more than 2.35 million requests, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.
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