Counties that need financial assistance may be able to receive federal grants, but even that process could become tricky in certain cash-strapped regions where counties would have to come up with the money first and then wait to be reimbursed.

"It's an unfortunate situation," Taylor said.

In Alexander County, for example, high turnover in the county clerk's office was cited as one reason ineligible voters had not been weeded out of the rolls.

Some county officials say they've either already brought the numbers down or will be doing so in the immediate future.

In Rock Island County, a purge of the rolls will occur as part of the once-per-decade redistricting process now under way. According to the state board, there are more than 11,500 people listed as voters who may be deceased or no longer living in the county.

In Jasper County, figures show the voter rolls were out of whack by about 90 people. Some of those ineligible voters already have been removed from the rolls.

"Here, we pretty much know everybody, so we know where to hunt," said Jasper County Clerk Linda Huth. "But, it is tedious, and it takes money. Nobody has any extra money."