By Townhall Chicago News Staff
Illinois voters reported broken voting machines, a relocated polling place and a ballot-screen warning that appeared only after Republican selections as they cast ballots Tuesday in the 2026 midterm election.
The accounts, described during an Election Day radio interview on AM 560, add new questions about polling operations in Cook County and the suburbs as results are tallied Tuesday night.
A caller identified as Jack, from River Grove, said an electronic ballot machine displayed a warning after he completed a straight-Republican ballot. “A warning that said to affect — if you wish to change your vote, do so now — and the list below was all Republicans,” Jack said. “Do you think if I had voted Democrat that that warning would have been there?”
Radio host Jeannie Ives said she would raise the claim with Cook County Republican Party officials. “We don’t know what they’re doing in Cook County,” Ives said. “I’m going to tee it up to the Cook County Republicans and make them ask.”
A caller identified as Will, from Skokie, said his longtime polling location was moved to the Syrian National Council of Illinois building without adequate notice. “They did send us a thing like, gee, you want a mail-in ballot, but they didn’t send us anything saying that they moved the polling place,” Will said. He said the new site’s entrance was poorly marked and required voters to use a rear door.
Radio host Amy Jacobson said she tried to vote four times over several days in Chicago’s 47th Ward, citing a more than three-hour wait Sunday and a 90-minute wait Monday. “The electronic machine was not working when I was there,” Jacobson said. “That was one of the reasons for the backups.” Jacobson said poll workers were also confused about precinct assignments and initially told her the location did not accept IDs before asking to see one to verify her signature.
Marty McLaughlin, the Republican candidate for the 52nd state House District, said campaign workers for his opponent pursued voters through parking lots within 100 feet of polling entrances. He said Willow Creek Church removed all electioneering activity from its campus because of the conduct.
None of the claims have been independently confirmed by election authorities. Cook County election officials had not addressed the specific reports as of Tuesday evening.
Results in Illinois races are expected to be reported Tuesday night as polls close across the state.
