Getting the early vote out may prove to be tough

Download a map detailing when each states primary is held

Illinois is poised to play a role in the presidential nominating process, for a change.

Democratic and Republican nominees for president may remain undecided on Feb. 5, when Illinois holds its primary election, and the state could help decide them. In past presidential elections, each party's candidate was determined well before mid-March, when Illinois finally weighed in.

Other states with early nominating contests, including traditional leadoff states Iowa and New Hampshire, essentially decided the nominees for us.

"It's good to have our state involved," said House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego.

More than 20 states will hold nominating contests - primary elections or caucuses - for one or both parties on Feb. 5, making the day something of a national primary election. The collective push forward has only intensified interest in Iowa and New Hampshire, as presidential contenders hope to win momentum heading into Feb. 5.

Iowa and New Hampshire haven't nailed down their dates yet, but they're expected be among nine states voting before Feb. 5, according to Stateline.org, a nonprofit news service covering state government policy and politics.

While a tight presidential race could draw Illinois voters to the polls in February, they may stay home if the weather is harsh. Political organizers are already developing get-out-the-vote drives to help counter this.

Then again, election officials hope folks take advantage of the state's early voting option. Beginning Jan. 14, voters can cast ballots at locations designated by local election authorities. Illinois started early voting in 2006, the last election cycle.

"It allows the voters a convenience to pick the day on which they want to vote," said Dan White, director of the State Board of Elections. "The experience has been that while it doesn't necessarily increase voter turnout, it does allow (potential) voters ... a window of opportunity."

The early primary next year also could spell trouble for local political candidates, particularly challengers attempting to unseat incumbents. It means they may need to raise money and garner attention over the holidays and in January - when folks are short on cash and not much concerned about politics.

"The ground troops are going to be less effective," said Rep. Dave Winters, R-Shirland. "People won't even open their doors. If somebody is knocking on your door in January and you're not expecting a visitor, they just don't open up."

He argued primary campaigns will become more reliant on paid media to convey message, and that in turn makes campaigns more expensive - and therefore more dependent on fundraising. Incumbents, who already enjoy name recognition and possible fully stocked campaign funds, could gain an advantage.

Candidates must file their nominating petitions between Oct. 29 and Nov. 5.

Illinois government leaders pushed the upcoming primary election forward to give U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago, a boost in his race for president. By expediting the state's vote, the thinking goes, Illinois Democrats could give Obama a running start in his bid to be the party's nominee.

The rationale presumes Illinois Democrats will get firmly behind Obama, who over the last three years catapulted from state senator to presidential hopeful. House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat who first pitched the primary change early this year, argued an early Illinois victory would help Obama win coveted national media attention.

A primary win here also means delegates for the winner - votes a candidate can use to secure the nomination. Delegates officially elect the candidates at each party's convention.

"These (early) states are not representative of mainstream America. They're clearly not as representative of America as Illinois would be," Madigan, who also is Illinois Democratic chairman, said at the time. "But if Barack is a candidate, recent history tells us the selection process may be finished before it reaches the Illinois primary."

Staff writer Aaron Chambers may be reached at 217-782-2959 or achambers@rrstar.com.