Will County clerk certifies 2020 results, more than 348,000 votes cast

After the Will County Clerk's Office certified the results of the 2020 general election, the official total showed a little more than 348,000 votes cast this cycle.

Even before the results were finalized, the total number of votes cast had already eclipsed the previous high from the 2016 general election in which more than 306,000 votes were cast.

There are more than 463,000 registered voters in Will County, according to the clerk's office. That means the turnout rate for 2020 was just about 75%.

That was also slightly more than the turnout rate in 2016 when 74.5% of registered voters cast a ballot during that general election.

In the presidential vote, President-elect Joe Biden earned 53.1% of the vote in Will County while President Donald Trump earned 44.8% of the vote.

As expected, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a substantial shift in voting methods among the electorate, especially as the spread of the novel virus began to increase in October around the region and state.

More than a quarter, around 27%, of voters, chose to vote by mail this year. That's a significant increase from the last general election in which only about 7% of the presidential vote was cast by mail.

Early in-person voting also increased this cycle compared to 2016.

Around 32% of votes cast came early and in person in 2020. Four years ago, about 20% of the vote was cast early and in person.

Early next month, the newly elected and re-elected countywide and county board members will be sworn in for the new term.