THE LOOP (WBBM Newsradio) -- It felt a bit like being backstage at a play's opening night ... but in this case, democracy was the star.
In the moments before the official opening of the Chicago Board of Elections' Loop voting super-site Thursday morning, clerks were scrambling to set up the last of the 80 booths available for voters, and making sure the ballot reading machines were in order.
But then, a clerk called out "OK, it's nine o'clock, guys!" and the revolving doors at 137 S. State St. were unlocked for the first two voters, who'd been waiting outside to cast ballots.
The first man to complete his ballot had a special interest in the election: he's a candidate.
Tommy Hanson is a perennial Republican candidate for Congress in the 5th District on Chicago's North side.
"The city's spent a lot of money, the state's spent a lot of money on this ... so why not get it out of the way?" Hanson said to reporters after submitting his ballot just after 9:00 am.
The second person through the door, volunteer Cora Rambert, said she wanted to set an example by voting as early as possible.
"This is about future generations, this is not about me," she said. "It's about things that's going on in the Senate and Congress and everything ... I just think it's important."
The supersite will be open seven days a week through Election Day for anyone registered to vote in the city.
People can also drop off mail-in ballots at the super-site, as well as the Chicago Board of Elections offices at 69 W. Washington St.