(ABC 7/Chicago) Inmates vote at Cook County Jail
Chicago is allowing inmates to vote while incarcerated, making this the first in-person jail voting operation.
Volunteers arrived at Cook County Jail on Saturday (Mar. 10) to ensure detainees had a chance to vote in person. Organizers with a group called Chicago Voters tell WLS-TV that 94 percent of the inmates are eligible to vote and reinforced the city’s early voting lobby. Each division of the jail was equipped with a private voting booth, an attorney, and staff from the Chicago and Cook County Board of Elections.
Chicago voters were permitted to vote on starting March 5th for primary statewide elections planned for March 20.
Reverand Jesse Jackson led by example as he too participated in early voting.
“There is no excuse not to vote in this important election. If you want change, use the power of your vote to make it a reality… We no longer have a Bull Connor or George Wallace standing in the door of opportunity or threatening bodily harm. There is no excuse not to vote,” Jackson explained in a statement.
