An election official helps a voter navigate the technology in Spanish at the early voting site in McKinley Park ahead of the Chicago runoff election on April 3, 2023. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

CHICAGO — After months of campaigning, debates and oh-so-many mailers, it’s finally Election Day in Chicago.

The polls opened at 6 a.m. across the city and will close at 7 p.m.

Tuesday’s runoff will decide the winners of races that weren’t already decided in the Feb. 28 election. All Chicagoans will vote on the city’s next mayor. And while some aldermanic seats have already been won, residents in 14 wards will be voting on their next alderperson.

Click here to see your sample ballot.

Even if you’ve never voted in a Chicago election, you can register and immediately vote Tuesday at your local polling place. All you need is two forms of ID, including one showing your current address. Find your polling place here.

And remember: If you’re in line to vote by 7 p.m., stay in line.

Here’s everything you need to know about voting Tuesday.

And here are the races we’re watching:

Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas are going head to head in the April 4 mayoral runoff election. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

The Race For Mayor

Former CPS CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson will face off to become the next mayor.

So far, the neck-and-neck race has seen 184,723 early ballots cast, outpacing the previous two mayoral elections, said Max Bever, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners spokesperson. There were also 107,868 vote by mail ballots returned to the board as of Monday and 91,838 outstanding ballots.

Though all returned ballots will be counted Tuesday when polls close, the number of outstanding vote-by-mail ballots could mean there is no clear winner Tuesday night, Bever said.

Unsure who to vote for?

Block Club Chicago Board President Laura Washington interviewed both candidates as part of our special The Ballot: Live series. Check them out below.

Voters cast their ballots at the early voting site in Garfield Ridge ahead of the Chicago runoff election on April 3, 2023. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

14 Wards To Watch

While most Chicagoans will just be voting for mayor, 14 ward races are also up for grabs.

A Block Club analysis found more than $21 million has poured into City Council races, including $18 million in direct donations to candidates’ campaign funds and $3 million more spent independently by outside groups. The money has paid for a series of proxy wars, pitting longtime City Hall insiders or pro-business candidates against independents and progressives.

Read more about who is paying to influence your ward here.

Read more about the contested races below:

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