SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — There is one week left until Election Day, but early voting is already underway across Illinois and the United States. Illinois Republicans are stumping for local candidates and Gov. JB Pritzker is on the campaign trail for the Democratic ticket for president.

Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin. You name the battleground state, and Pritzker has likely been there trying to gain support for Vice President Kamala Harris.

"Republicans are running across the country to support their candidates," Pritzker said during an unrelated event Monday. "Democrats are running across the country to support theirs. There is a whole lot of activism."

The Democrat told reporters in Springfield that there is an enormous amount of motivation for people to vote in this election. He knows national polls show the race is very tight in swing states, but Pritzker said polls need to be taken with a grain of salt.

"Read the tea leaves," Pritzker said. "We don't know exactly what the outcome is, which is why everybody is working so hard on the Democratic side to make sure that every last voter gets out to vote."

Illinois GOP leaders are also making the case that former President Donald Trump can break through the blue wall of the Midwest.

"We got lazy," said House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). "We believed the lie that our voice and our vote does not matter. But it matters." 

Pritzker said he feels pretty good about the odds for Harris to win. However, the governor said he wouldn't be working as hard to lift up the Harris-Walz ticket if he was more confident.

"To be honest, I think it's good that everybody is a little on edge on both sides probably," Pritzker added. "Having more people vote is better for the country."

The uncommitted movement could still cause issues for Democrats. Pritzker said anyone voting for third party candidates will hurt Harris and help Trump.

Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi stated Tuesday that people should vote Republican for common sense ideals and leaders that will fight for the state. 

"For the last 30 years, Illinois Democrats have put themselves first," Salvi said. "Now, it's time for a change." 

Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.