January 31, 2011 – Voters in the tiny 27th precinct of Chicago’s 42nd ward, comprised solely of Marina City residents, will have a bigger polling place for the mayoral election in February.

A meeting room on the 20th floor of the east tower of Marina City will welcome what is expected to be a high turnout. Last November, 338 voters were herded over 13 hours into the small and dark lobby of the west tower, causing long lines, more than 100 complaints, and numerous problems for both voters and election judges.

The meeting room apparently has 80 percent more square feet than the polling place in November, according to Jim Allen, a spokesperson for the city’s Board of Election Commissioners.

The municipal general election will be on February 22 with a runoff election, if needed, on April 5.