UPDATE: 700 Election Judges Needed After Tsunami Of Cancellations

CHICAGO, IL — Illinois' primary election is scheduled to take place Tuesday despite the spate of closings related to the new coronavirus, but there's just one problem: Many election judges have already backed out.

"We are in an untenable position at this point," said Marisel Hernandez, chair of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

Hernandez said a "tsunami of election judges called in" to cancel.

Now, election officials are asking others to step up. Those who are young, healthy and able to vote can show up at a Chicago polling place to become an election judge Tuesday. Hernandez said people under age 60 who haven't traveled and college students are especially wanted.

Judges will be paid $170.

On Monday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said voting in that state's primary — also set for Tuesday — will be extended to June 2. Referring to the CDC recommendation to cancel all gatherings of 50 people or more, DeWine said, "We cannot conduct in-person voting for 13 hours tomorrow and conform to these guidelines,” he said.

Coronavirus In Illinois March 16 Update: 93 Cases Statewide

Don't miss updates about precautions in the Chicago area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

When told about Ohio's election day changes, election board spokesman James Allen said, "God bless Ohio."

"Election officials across the state of Illinois are in a Catch 22. We are under orders to conduct of an election. End of story. Period,"Allen said. "If we say anything now to raise doubts about whether tomorrow is Election Day. We stand accused of violation the law, undermining turnout and discouraging voters from exercising their right to vote ... This is not our call."

Late Monday, Allen told Patch the owners of 12 more precincts locations opted out of being polling places bringing the total to 180. The election board also needs about 700 election judges before Tuesdays election.

Chicago election officials said they have asked for guidance from the state election board on how to comply with Gov. Pritzker's order banning all gatherings of more than 50 people.

"The answer we got was use social distancing," Allen said.

Allen urged voters to check the election board website for their polling place locations before heading out to vote Tuesday.

More from Patch:

• Coronavirus: Help For Illinois Workers During Outbreak, Shutdown
• Illinois Primary Election Still Happening, For Now: Pritzker
• Pritzker Orders All Illinois Bars, Restaurants Closed
• Customs To Double Staff At Overwhelmed Chicago O'Hare Airport