Information on today’s election
February 22, 2011 12:46AM
Updated: September 24, 2012 6:25AM
It’s the first wide-open Chicago mayoral contest in 64 years.
Voters will also make history in the city clerk’s race.
And 15 aldermanic seats are vacant or filled by mayoral appointees facing voters for the first time.
Veteran aldermen are also under fire. All but seven of the city’s 50 wards have contested aldermanic elections.
Running for mayor are Carol Moseley Braun, Gery Chico, Miguel del Valle, Rahm Emanuel, Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins and William “Dock” Walls. Any candidate who wins a majority is elected outright and will be sworn in May 16. If no candidate receives a majority, the top two vote-getters square off in an April 5 runoff.
Patricia Horton and Susana Mendoza are vying to be Chicago’s first woman to serve as city clerk. City Treasurer Stephanie Neely is running unopposed.
Heated aldermanic contests can be found all over the city. As in the mayoral contest, candidates must win a majority to avoid an April 5 runoff.
Altogether, 240 men and women are vying for the 50 aldermanic seats.
Here is all the information you need for today’s historic election:
• What: In Chicago, voters will vote for mayor, city clerk, city treasurer and aldermen. If no candidate wins a majority in a race, the top two vote-getters square off in an April 5 run-off.
Outside the city, 21 candidates are running for office.
Suburban elections include trustee positions in Dolton and South Holland and six aldermanic seats up for grabs in Lake County.
• Who: 1,406,037 registered voters in Chicago and some 51,734 in the suburbs.
• When: Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
• Where: At polling places in 2,570 precincts in Chicago and 91 in the suburbs.
TO FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE
In Chicago, (312) 269-7870; Hearing impaired, (312) 269-0027. In Cook County suburbs, (312) 603-0906; Spanish language, (312) 603-6767; Disabilities, (312) 603-0929; Hearing impaired, (312) 603-0902.
In collar counties, Lake (847) 377-2314
TO REPORT VOTE FRAUD OR OTHER PROBLEMS
State Board of Elections: (312) 263‑7367
In Chicago, (312) 269-7870; Hearing impaired, (312) 269-0027. Cook County: (312) 603-0236; Hearing impaired, (312) 603-0902.
ELECTION INFORMATION WEBSITES
Chicago: chicagoelections.com
Suburban Cook: cookcountyclerk.com
Lake County: lakecountyclerk.info
