Students lined up at the only early voting location at the University — the Illini Union — to cast their ballots in Champaign County a day before the election. The south lounge was converted into a waiting area for the ever-growing queue of students. 

“This is like the most depressing scene I’ve seen at U of I since transferring, besides maybe like parts of Grainger,” said Jack Vest, junior in Engineering. “I feel like there’s probably a better way to expedite this.”

Vest got in line when early voting began at 11 a.m., but even after an hour, he still had the length of the Union to go. 

“I’m missing my class for this,” Vest said. “I’m incredibly pissed about not having the day off on Tuesday because I feel like it’s important to have that time afforded to us.”

Unlike the 2020 and 2022 elections, the Illinois General Assembly did not designate this year’s election as a university holiday. University Chancellor Robert Jones sent out a Massmail on Oct. 3 informing students of the change.

“I have zero time to fit in for voting, and seeing that email from Chancellor Jones, I was completely caught off guard,” Vest said. 

Atlas Karm, senior in Engineering, said they disagree with the legislature’s decision. 

“I think that Election Day should just be a day off in general for everyone, including (the) University, because this is an important civic duty that everyone needs to do,” Karm said, who had been in line since 10:30 a.m.

For many students like Suhasni Venkatsubrahmmanian, senior in AHS, voting outweighs the potential consequences of missing classes. 

“I’m voting because I think it’s important to vote and to contribute to what’s going on in the government and practice our civic duty and exercise our rights that we’re given,” Venkatsubrahmmanian said. “Primarily, I’m voting because I care a lot about the laws and legislation that (have) to do with women … as well as the LGBTQ community.” 

University students can also vote at any location in Champaign County from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, according to the Champaign County Clerk’s Office. Locations include Champaign Public Library, Parkland College, Brookens Administrative Center Gymnasium and Meadowbrook Community Church. 

There will also be additional voting locations at the University on Nov. 5. According to the Office of Civic Life, most polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. On-campus polling sites include: 

• The Illini Union
• University YMCA
• Illini Hillel
• FAR
• ISR 
• Siebel Center for Design
• ARC

[email protected]

[email protected]