Early voting is underway in northern Illinois for the state’s primary contests.
Find an Early Voting location in your area
Illinois’ primary is March 15, but many people aren’t waiting until then to cast their ballots.
At Northern Illinois University’s Holmes Student Center, senior journalism major Jazmin Kelley had a very simple reason to vote before next week.
“Well, I’m leaving for spring break, and I know that the voting day was the 15th and I know I’m not going to be here.”
She says she's trying to get her peers on-board with the idea too.
“I just figured that it’s very important for our voices to be heard regardless. I know a lot of people are like, ‘I’m leaving, I don’t care.’ I am like, ‘No, you should vote because you don’t want anything bad to happen.’”
Those who are interested can register and vote at a polling place on the same day.
And people who will turn 18 in time for the general election in November may also register and vote in the Illinois primary.