Early voters out in force in 50th Ward; North Side aldermanic race 'has awoken,' sees most ballots cast so far

It's the hottest race in town.

Far more voters are casting early ballots in Ald. Bernie Stone'sre-election battle against challenger Naisy Dolar in the 50th Wardthan in any other aldermanic contest.

Of the 5,324 early ballots cast in the city's 12 aldermanicrunoffs through Sunday, nearly one out of five were from voters inthe Far North Side ward that Stone has represented since 1973.

"The 50th Ward has definitely awoken," Dolar said.

The 1,002 early votes in the 50th is more than twice the averageof 443 for the 12 wards with April 17 runoffs.

It's roughly five times the number cast in the Near South Side's3rd Ward, where Ald. Dorothy Tillman is trying to fend off formercity planner Pat Dowell, or the South Side's 16th Ward, where Ald.Shirley Coleman is up against correctional officer JoAnn Thompson.

Overall, early voting rates in Chicago are up over the previousthree elections in which state law allowed the practice -- andofficials say part of the reason is higher interest in the wardraces.

"There is more voter interest. There is definitely more campaignactivity,"

said Jim Allen, spokesman for the Chicago Board of ElectionCommissioners. "When you have a one-on-one race, you have a greatersense of urgency."

Unlike in absentee voting, early voters don't have to offer anyreason for weighing in before Election Day. The deadline is 5 p.m.Thursday. Locations are listed at www.chicagoelections.com.

Both 50th Ward contenders heralded the early interest as goodnews for their campaigns.

Just this past weekend, Dolar said she took to the streets with amegaphone and a 15-car "motorcade" to remind residents they can casttheir ballots this week.

"As soon as early voting started, it became Election Day for us,"said Dolar, 34, former director of the city's Advisory Council onAsian Affairs. "Early voting is definitely to our advantage."

Stone, 79, said he got more early and absentee votes than Dolaror the other two candidates in the Feb. 27 election, but he stoppedshort of claiming the early rush as a boon for his campaign.

"Never be overconfident," Stone said. "Always treat it like it'swhat it is -- a tough battle."

Political Reporter/sfornek@suntimes.com

EARLY VOTING BY WARD

2nd Ward: 552

3rd Ward: 213

15th Ward: 191

16th Ward: 176

18th Ward: 488

21st Ward: 322

24th Ward: 197

32nd Ward: 439

35th Ward: 553

43rd Ward: 510

49th Ward: 681

50th Ward: 1,002

Note: Totals are through Sunday

Source: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners