The Rainbow Push Coalition is holding a press conference to get people to vote

CHICAGO — As politicians work in the final days before the election, the Rainbow Push Coalition’s mission is to get voters to the polls.

On Saturday, the organization held a press conference to motivate voters to do just that — vote — either through early voting or by showing up at the polls on Election Day.

Although the conference was populated mostly by Illinois Democrats, the message remains the same – regardless of party, vote.

Bishop Tavis Grant, of the Rainbow Push Coalition, said 15 million voters did not vote during the last election cycle, many of whom avoided it because of intimidation at the polls.

“The attack on voting rights is the biggest threat to democracy that we’ve seen in a very long time,” said Alexi Gianoulias, a candidate for Illinois secretary of state.

According to Max Bever, a member of the Chicago Board of Elections, the city’s early voting process went smoothly.

“We haven’t seen any interference at any of our early voting centers,” Bever said. “But there are secure postal ballot boxes. It was a popular option for Chicagoans.”

At least 108,000 early votes and 98,000 mail-in ballots in Chicago alone, as many precincts and district maps may have changed.

Early voting sites are open to all residents who can register on voting day.