Romney, Santorum, Gingrich or Paul? Tell Us Your Pick

Cook County's suburban Republicans cast 44 percent more Early Voting ballots for the March 20 presidential primary than during Early Voting in 2008, according to the Cook County Clerk's Office. 

Nearly 4,400 more Republicans participated during this Early Voting period, which ended Thursday, than did four years ago. GOP voters represented 38.6 percent of all early voting ballots cast, up from 19.4 percent in 2008.

With a contentious race among Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul, the outcome of the Illinois GOP primary will matter in the march to a nominee. Democratic Early Voting participation dropped 45 percent when compared with the last presidential election.

With 2,477 ballots cast, the Orland Park Early Voting site was the busiest in suburban Cook County. Ballots cast at sites in South Suburban Patchland include: Matteson (1,925); Oak Lawn (1,005); Palos Heights (982); Chicago Heights (746); Oak Forest (687).

Throughout Cook County, 36,972 ballots were cast, and the vast majority — 71 percent — of early voters were older than 55. Only 7 percent of early voters were ages 18 to 34. Women made up 54 percent of all early voters.

A We Ask America poll shows Romney the preferred choice in Illinois, according to Fox News.

Romney had the support of 37 percent on Wednesday. Rick Santorum earned 31 percent of the vote.

The third-largest group of voters chose Newt Gingrich at 14 percent, 10 percent were undecided and 8 percent voted for Ron Paul.

What would you say to a friend or neighbor about which candidate deserves their vote? Share in the comments.