Illinois reached an all-time high for registered voters in the state, approaching 8 million people signed up to cast a ballot.

The state now has more than 7,988,000 registered voters, breaking its previous record of 7,789,500 during the 2008 general election, when then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois was the Democratic nominee, according to the State Board of Elections.

Although regular registration closed Oct. 11 and online registration closed Oct. 23, Illinois residents can still sign up to vote through grace period registration, according to a news release. Grace period registration, which extends through election day, requires voters to register and vote on the same day.

As of Monday evening, 1,171 people had voted early in Evanston, clerk Rodney Greene said at the City Council meeting.

Early voting is currently open for registered voters and voters planning to use grace period registration. Evanston voters can vote early at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.

The State Board of Elections urged voters to cast their vote as soon as possible, to avoid long waits on and leading up to Election Day.

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