Chicago Election Board unveils precinct consolidation plan tied to redistricting

Fewer election judges will be needed to staff the 1,290 new precincts that result from once-a-decade precinct consolidation. That will cut costs by nearly $2 million — $2,500 for every one of the 779 precincts eliminated — and minimize shortages with potential to delay the opening of polling places. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file photo)

Chicago voters will have to find their way to new polling places beginning on Nov. 8, thanks to a precinct consolidation tied to the once-a-decade redistricting process that will eliminate 779 of the city’s 2,069 precincts.

The benefit is fewer election judges will be needed to staff the 1,290 new precincts. That will cut costs by nearly $2 million — $2,500 for every one of the 779 precincts eliminated — and minimize shortages with potential to delay the opening of polling places.