A casting delegation from the show was in Chicago on Wednesday night, checking out talent with an emphasis on the females. The trio of "SNL"ers (all women) made the usual comedy rounds, seeing both the mainstage and e.t.c. troupes at Second City in Old Town, then hitting iO in Wrigleyville to catch a male-free ensemble called the iOvaries (an all-star group assembled especially for this night).

The visit came just four nights after Poehler gave birth to a boy named Archie Arnett. Busy with the newborn and a planned sitcom to NBC, she's expected to sign off of "SNL," leaving its 11-member cast with just two women: Kristen Wiig and Casey Wilson.

If it's going to keep up its streak of well-received political satire, the show may need to find alternate comics to play Hillary Clinton (formerly Poehler's job), Sarah Palin (a role the overworked Tina Fey is eager to surrender) and Michelle Obama (temporarily assumed by "SNL" alum Maya Rudolph last weekend).

"SNL" boss Lorne Michaels started looking for possible hires over the summer and has said Poehler's position will not stay vacant long.

The show has two more episodes before the election: a live one Saturday with host Ben Affleck, and a presidentially themed clip show in prime time Monday that's expected to include cameos by the candidates.