Barnard Asks State to Look into Adams County Ballot Shortage

State election officials have been asked to look into the shortage of ballots in Adams County that resulted in some voters being turned away in Tuesday’s primary election.

State’s Attorney Jon Barnard contacted the Illinois Attorney General’s office and the State Board of Elections Wednesday and asked them to conduct an inquiry as to why there were polling places that ran out of ballots Tuesday.

Adams County Clerk Chuck Venvertloh told the media he printed enough ballots for 30 percent of the county’s registered voters, but then about 60 percent of registered voters turned out.

Officials with the state board of elections say that state statute requires that enough ballots be printed for at least 110 percent of registered voters.