Early voting privileges have officially returned to Monee.
Village Clerk Michelle Powell made the announcement during the February 11 meeting of the board of trustees.
The notification drew applause from the board and the audience.
Monee lost its local early voting site two years ago amid claims of missteps former Village Clerk Doneshia Codjoe was said to have made in the verification of the Early Voting Registration Application Box for the 2023 election.
Since then, Monee residents wishing to vote early had to do so in University Park, and for many, it was a considerable inconvenience.
Powell made it a priority to work with the Will County Clerk’s office to restore the site to the Monee Village Hall.
Last summer, the Will County Clerk asked, in a letter to Powell, if she and her “team would be interested in partnering with the Will County Clerk’s Office to provide constituents in Monee with the opportunity to cast a ballot in person during the early voting period” once again.
“Early voting was a collaborative effort between our office and local election officials in Monee that many voters in your area proudly enjoyed in the past, and it will be a pleasure to discuss with you our desire to return this service, starting the next election cycle. Thanks for your consideration and please let us know your thoughts,” the letter concluded.
Powell told the board at that time that she had already responded, saying that the village would be happy to do so.
During last week’s board meeting, she noted that she and Deputy Clerk Jude Knabe had participated in a mandatory early voting training session at the county clerk’s office in Joliet. She said it went “very, very well.”
“I am happy to announce that early voting will take place here at 5130 W. Court Street.
Early voting will take place Monday, March 2, through Friday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“I am very thankful and excited to be working with the Will County Clerk’s Office again to bring this service back for Monee’s residents,” she added.