Early voting for next Chicago mayor starts

CHICAGO, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Election officials predicted a high turnout as early voting in Chicago's marquee mayoral election began Monday.

"We're definitely going to have larger turnout," Jim Allen, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners spokesman, told the Chicago Tribune. "Anytime you have a high-profile open contest -- that is going to generate more voter interest."

Registered voters may cast their votes for one of six non-partisan candidates at any of the city's 51 early voting sites. Election Day is Feb. 22.

Mayoral candidates, meanwhile, spent the weekend explaining their positions.

Gery Chico, former chief of staff for out-going Mayor Richard Daley, held a get-out-the-vote event, encouraging Chicagoans to vote early.

At his own fundraiser, Emanuel announced a plan to make Chicago "the most bike-friendly city in the United States," promising to create more protected bike lanes.

Former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun's campaign said the candidate will spend her limited resources on door-knocking and phone calling to reach potential supporters, the Tribune said.

During a mayoral candidates' forum Sunday, candidate Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins questioned Braun's commitment to working with Chicago's black communities and Moseley Braun, in turn, called Pelt-Watkins a former crack addict, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

"Carol Moseley Braun hasn't been around for 20 years," Watkins, a community activist, said.

After outlining her years of public service Moseley Braun told Watkins, "You were strung out on crack. I was starting a business on the South Side. I was hiring people."

Watkins admitted she was a drug user more than 30 years ago but never touched crack, the Sun-Times reported.

Other candidates participating in the forum were Chico, Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle and community activist William "Dock" Walls, who outlined their plans for economic development, jobs, public safety and education. Emanuel did not participate.