Complete election information

Election officials are expecting long lines today even after a record turnout for early voting across the Chicago area.

Voters will chose everything from the President of the United States today to county judges. Democrats and Republicans are locked in a heated battle over control of both the Statehouse and the U.S. Capitol while third party candidates are hoping to gain ground.

Here is a look at voting trends, contested races and Election Day tips as millions head to the polls:

Who's voting, who voted?

DuPage County

Early votes: 96,029

Early votes in primary: 15,611

Registration: 549,621

Registration in 2004: 530,732

Votes in 2004: 404,117

% of registered voters already voting: 17

Lake County

Early votes: 83,839

Early votes in primary: 19,197

Registration: 405,041

Registration in 2004: 382,835

Votes in 2004: 276,609

% of registered voters already voting: 21

Cook County

Early votes: 226,084

Early votes in primary: 51,000

Registration: 1,436,106

Registration in 2004: 1,378,159

Votes in 2004: 1,024,867

% of registered voters already voting: 16

Kane County

Early votes: 51,858

Early votes in primary: 9,659

Registration: 213,161

Registration in 2004: 201,778

Voted in 2004: 144,108

% of registered voters already voting: 24

McHenry County

Early votes: 23,407

Early votes in primary: 4,720

Registration: 199,378

Registration in 2004: 186,394

% of registered voters already voting: 12

Statewide:

Early voting: (Not yet available)

Registration: 7.7 million

Registration in 2004: 7,499,488

Votes in 2004: 5,350,493

To find your polling place, report problems and make sure you are registered, check with your local county election office:

Lake County: (847) 377-2000 or www.co.lake.il.us

DuPage County: (630) 407-5600 or www.dupageelections.com

Kane County: (630) 232-5990 or www.kanecountyelections.org

McHenry County: (815) 334-4242 or www.co.mchenry.il.us

Cook County: (312) 603-0906 or www.voterinfonet.com

Aurora Election Commission: (630) 897-4030 or www.aurora-il.org/electioncommission/index.php

Will County: (815) 740-4615 or www.willclrk.com/home.htm

State Board of Elections complaint hotline: (866) 513-1121

Illinois Attorney General complaint hotline: (866) 536-3496

Here are some commonly asked questions and answers to help you on Election Day.

How do I make sure my vote is counted?

Follow all posted rules. If you use a touch screen voting machine, be sure your vote is recorded accurately. If you use an optical scan machine, be sure to fill in the oval completely and with the provided pen. Also, make sure you check both sides of the ballot.

How do I avoid long lines?

You might not be able to. Record turnout is expected, but election officials advise coming during the midmorning or afternoon to avoid peak voting periods. Voting starts at 6 a.m. and lasts until 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will be able to vote.

Do I need identification at the polls?

Maybe. You prove your identity when you register to vote and your identity is proved by your signature at the polls. However, if a majority of election judges challenge your signature, then you may need to provide ID. Also, if you filed a registration form via mail without providing ID along with it, you will need a form of identification.

What is provisional voting?

If your precinct doesn't have you listed as registered to vote, you may vote on a provisional ballot, which will only be counted if your registration can be verified. Voters have two days to submit proof of registration after casting the ballot and the clerk's office has two weeks to determine if the voter was registered. If registration can't be verified, the vote will not count.

National, State, Congressional races

President

Constitutional: Darrell Castle

Democrat: Barack Obama, Joseph Biden

Green: Cynthia McKinney, Rosa Clemente

Independent: Ralph Nader, Matt Gonzales

Libertarian: Bob Barr, Wayne Root

New: John Joseph Polachek

Republican: John McCain, Sarah Palin

U.S. Senate

Constitutional: Chad N. Koppie

Democrat: Richard J. Durbin

Green: Kathy Cummings

Libertarian: Larry A. Stafford

Republican: Steve Sauerberg

6th Congressional District

Democrat: Jill Morgenthaler

Republican: Peter J. Roskam

8th Congressional District

Democrat: Melissa Bean

Republican: Steve Greenberg

9th Congressional District

Democrat: Janic D. Schakowsky

Green: Morris Shanfield

Republican: Michael Benjamin Younan

10th Congressional District

Democrat: Daniel J. Seals

Republican: Mark Steven Kirk

13th Congressional District

Democrat: Scott Harper

Green: Steve Alesch

Republican: Judy Biggert

14th Congressional District

Democrat: Bill Foster

Republican: Jim Oberweis

16th Congressional District

Democrat: Robert G. Abboud

Green: Scott Summers

Republican: Donald A. Manzullo

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