Election Day in Chicago: Everything you need to know about Tuesday’s vote for mayor, City Council and police district council

We’re just a few days before Chicago’s Feb. 28 election. Voters will be casting ballots for mayor, members of the City Council and, for the first time in city history, members of police district councils.

Early voting —both in person and by mail — has been ongoing for weeks. But if you haven’t made your choices yet, we have organized our coverage to help you make up your mind. We have scores of stories about the mayoral race and the nine candidates running for mayor, including incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot. We also have tackled the biggest of the 50 aldermanic races, as well as a primer on the police councils. What’s more, we have everything you need to know about the process of voting.

While it might feel like it has been a long road getting here, we won’t be done after the ballots are cast in this election. In the races for mayor and City Council, if no single candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote getters will face off again in a runoff five weeks later, on April 4. So save some of that energy. We’re all going to need it.

Be sure to bookmark chicagotribune.com/elections to read our full election coverage on Tuesday and get live results.

Here’s what you need to know before Election Day on Tuesday.

You can vote early — and early turnout is high, thanks to mail-in ballots. In Chicago, residents can vote at any early voting site regardless of what ward they live in. Here’s how and where to cast your ballot.

And if you’re wondering why Chicagoans are voting in February, here’s why.

There are nine candidates running to be Chicago’s next mayor. Meet each of the candidates, read how they answered our questionnaire and search their campaign contributions.

Here are some stories Tribune reporters have written about the issues at hand for Chicago’s next mayor:

Here are some of stories Tribune reporters have written about the candidates.

Lori Lightfoot

Jesús “Chuy” García

Brandon Johnson

Paul Vallas

How the Tribune covered the forums

Many Chicagoans are voting in a new ward this year after a redistricting battle. Not sure which ward you live in? Use our interactive tool.

Read how aldermanic candidates answered our questionnaire and see who the Editorial Board is endorsing.

From newly drawn districts to a wave of aldermanic exits, Tribune reporters have covered a number of hotly contested races. Here are some of the stories:

• 1st Ward: A rematch — and more — in competitive 1st Ward race to represent Wicker Park, Logan Square
• 4th, 5th and 10th Wards: Change ahead for South Side lakefront as candidates vie for 3 open City Council seats
• 6th and 21st Wards: Candidates in City Council races for 6th and 21st wards seek to recapture glory of city’s Black middle class
• 11th, 12th, 24th and 43rd Wards: City Council members appointed by Mayor Lightfoot find ties to her are a double-edged sword
• 14th Ward: The proxy battle to replace Ald. Edward Burke in the 14th Ward is between allies of the indicted outgoing alderman and ‘Chuy’ García
• 19th Ward: Candidates on the Southwest Side stake out positions on the left, right and the middle
• 20th Ward: Ald. Jeanette Taylor aims to fend off rivals to her 20th Ward seat, where persistent challenges abound
• 23rd Ward: Shadow of Michael Madigan looms in fight for 23rd Ward alderman
• 27th, 28th, 29th and 37th Wards: There’s major turnover on the City Council, but aldermen on West Side look to keep things status quo
• 33rd Ward: Machine politics still front and center in race for 33rd Ward alderman
• 34th Ward: Chicago’s new 34th Ward set to play key role as city looks to reenergize downtown
• 36th Ward: Shaped like a playground seesaw, new 36th Ward brings three challengers looking to knock off incumbent
• 45th Ward: Embattled Ald. Jim Gardiner’s fitness is key issue in race for 45th Ward
• 46th and 48th Wards: In lakefront wards on the North Side, voters can chart a new course as two longtime aldermen retire
• 50th Ward: As more deleted tweets emerge, 50th Ward challenger aims to shift focus to rival: ‘I hope Ald. Silverstein’s record receives as much scrutiny’

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