The growing popularity of early voting and voting when you register contributed to huge numbers for voter turnout in Tuesday's Illinois Primary.

The 46 percent turnout in Iroquois County came from the 8,195 ballots cast. There were 17,844 registered voters, according to records.

County Clerk Lisa Fancher said the Early Vote topped 700. Iroquois County had 487 early voters in 2012 and 367 in 2008.

Kankakee County reported running out of ballots. Steady lines of voters were reported at several precincts.
The surprises were equally apparent across Illinois as shortages of printed ballots were reported in Vermillion, Sangamon, Effingham and Adams counties and several precincts in Cook County. Voting hours were even extended in some counties so election officials could print up extra ballots and handle long lines of voters who cast their votes on touchscreens.

Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray said there has been "absolutely historic turnout" this primary as the county harboring Illinois' state capitol drew droves of voters.
The growing popularity of early voting and the ability to register voters at polling places contributed to higher turnout. For the first time, Illinois residents could register to vote and cast ballots on the same day at all polling sites. Election Day registration allows unregistered voters, or those who have moved and need to update their information, to get registered and vote all at once.

94.1 WGFA