Today is the first day voters in Illinois can cast their ballot, even though there’s almost a month until election day. The state now allows early voting.

Eric Donnewald with the State Board of Elections says the program will make it easier for more people to vote.

“The difference from in-person absentee voting is that you don’t need a reason to early vote. Whereas an absentee ballot - either if you mail one in or vote in person absentee - you do need a specific reason as to why you should be issued an absentee ballot,” he says.

The bill allowing early voting passed the General Assembly last year on partisan lines, with most Democrats supporting the measure, and Republicans voting against it.

Early voting ends on November 2, five days before the general election.