Peoria County Election Commission Observer Reports

   The Peoria County Election Commission met on February 9, 2021, with all members present except Mr. Ketterer who attended by phone. 
   Everything seems to be going smoothly in getting ready for both the February primary and the April general election. 
   The Verizon bill that had been wrongly coded leading to an enormous bill has been corrected.     
   Federal Warehouse was awarded the contract to move voting equipment to and from the polls for both elections.  They were approximately $500 less than Mordu and have done a good job in the past. 
   Locations and times for early voting before the April 6 election will be the same as for the November election starting March 12 outside of those locations that have a primary.  One exception will be no polling at the downtown library on Easter Sunday.  The Election Commission office will need to be open that day because of state law. 
   Ballots for the April 6 consolidated general election will be sent out starting February 25 to those voters outside of the City of Peoria.  There are 306 different ballot styles in the County!
   $19,430 of left over funds from the grant from the Center for Tech and Civic Life will be put into the FY2021 budget, with approval by the County Board.  The Center granted an extension for use of those funds until the end of July.  Director Bride anticipates that the funds will be used primarily for expenses related to Covid-19.
   There are approximately 73,000 registered voters in Peoria County.  As of February 9, 1950 had asked to vote by mail, 950 had voted early, and 772 had sent back their ballots.  The canvas for the primary will be held on March 11. 
Irene Pritzker, Observer