CHICAGO (AP) -- Election officials are reminding Illinois residents that the early voting period for Tuesday's primary election ends Thursday.

Cook County Clerk David Orr says that his county already has posted a record number of voters, with 43,200 ballots cast so far.

Orr says early voting in Cook County ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

He says voters do not need any special reason to cast their ballots early. Orr says early voting is available for those who have scheduling conflicts or are worried about the weather on Election Day.

Early voting was first available in Illinois in March 2006.

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