Problems Continue in Champaign County as Ballot Errors Disrupt Early Voting

Problems with election administration have resurfaced in Champaign County after ballot errors forced officials to temporarily suspend early voting, less than two years after technical problems disrupted voting across the county on Election Day.

The Champaign County Clerk’s Office suspended early voting Friday after discovering errors affecting ballots in nine of the county’s 118 precincts. Early voting resumed Monday after officials said the problems had been corrected.

According to the Clerk’s Office, the problem was traced to data that had been incorrectly entered by a vendor and was not caught during an internal check. Nineteen ballot types were affected across precincts in Champaign, Urbana, Hensley, Pesotum, Philo, Sidney and St. Joseph.

No federal, statewide, congressional, countywide or judicial races were affected. Errors were found in ballots involving legislative, state representative, County Board and regional education races.

The problem also extended to vote-by-mail ballots. Approximately 600 of the roughly 19,000 ballots mailed to voters contained errors, according to the Clerk’s Office. Thirteen affected mail ballots had been returned as of Monday. The county said replacement ballots and explanations would be sent to affected voters whose ballots had not yet been processed and cast.

The latest problems come after Champaign County experienced countywide voting difficulties during the November 2024 presidential election.

On Election Day that year, technical problems caused systemwide issues with processing voters. County officials initially sought to extend voting until 9 p.m. because of the disruption before withdrawing the request after being advised that votes cast after the normal 7 p.m. closing time would have to be provisional and could place the election at risk of a legal challenge.

The election problems come as Champaign County government is also confronting financial challenges.

The county has acknowledged a structural deficit in its General Fund and has been considering a combination of additional revenue and spending reductions. Champaign County's FY2026 budget included a $12 million draw on fund balances.

Earlier this year, county officials took the unusual step of asking voters directly how they wanted the county to address its financial problems. Three non-binding questions appeared on the March primary ballot addressing possible increases in sales taxes and property taxes and reductions in county personnel and services.

One question presented voters with a direct choice between raising taxes and cutting personnel and services. Another asked whether voters supported reducing county services, with examples including fewer sheriff's deputies, reduced public service hours and employee layoffs.

Champaign County's government is currently controlled by a Democratic majority. Democrats hold most seats on the 22-member County Board, including the positions of chair and vice chair.

Meanwhile, early voting has continued in Sangamon County, where voting for the Nov. 3 general election began Sept. 24 at the Sangamon County Election Office in Springfield.

Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray said the county's early voting process has been operating without similar problems.

“Early voting has been running smoothly here in Sangamon County, and we have not experienced the types of issues being reported elsewhere,” Gray said. “Our staff has worked hard to make sure voters can have confidence in the process and that everyone who is eligible to vote has the opportunity to cast their ballot.”

Gray has previously emphasized transparency and public confidence in local elections. During a Sept. 25 forum in Springfield, he encouraged residents to become election judges and see firsthand how the county conducts elections.

Early voting in Sangamon County continues through Nov. 2, with Election Day scheduled for Nov. 3.