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What you need to know to vote today

You made it, Illinois.

It's Election Day, and while a record number of people have voted already, Tuesday is the day polls open statewide for you to make your picks in a number of important contests.

There's a lot to remember, so here are some things to keep in mind.

Whom we're voting for:

Voters will pick winners in the races for governor, other statewide offices, U.S. Senate, Congress, Illinois House and Senate, county officials and judges. Here's a summary of Daily Herald endorsements.

Candidate info at dailyherald.com

Find questionnaires completed by the candidates, news coverage and our endorsements at www.dailyherald.com/news/politics/election/

Polls open at 6 a.m.

And close at 7 p.m.

If you're not yet registered to vote, you can go to certain polling places to cast a provisional ballot that will count if officials confirm your residency and determine you haven't already voted elsewhere.

Need help?

If you need help with voting, contact the State Board of Elections at (312) 814-6466, or (217) 782-1518 for the hearing-impaired.

If you suspect improper or illegal activity, contact the Illinois attorney general's office at (866) 536-3496. No one is allowed to influence a voter within 100 feet of a polling place.

What will your ballot look like?

Go here to find out in each county.

Cook County: www.cookcountyclerk.com/elections/voterprofile/Pages/default.aspx

DuPage County: www.dupageco.org/VoterLookup/

Kane County: http://www.kanecountyelections.org/

Lake County: https://countyclerk.lakecountyil.gov/ElectionInfo/Voter-Services/Pages/Voter-Power. aspx

McHenry County: https://mchenry-il.connect.clarityelections.com/precinctfinder.aspx

Will County: https://www.thewillcountyclerk.com/connect/site/publicpages/PrecinctFinder.jsp

Your voting rights

Voters can bring candidate guides or similar references into the voting booth with them.

If you make a mistake on a paper ballot and have not cast your ballot, you can ask for a replacement.

If you have trouble reading, understanding English, or have a disability, you have the right to have assistance.

After giving notice to their employer, every employee is entitled to two hours off work in order to vote.

If your name does not appear on the official voter list or your eligibility has been questioned, you can request a provisional ballot that will be counted if you're deemed eligible.

Watch dailyherald.com

We'll bring you election news as it happens as well as live results beginning at 7 p.m. and continuing throughout the night.

You can follow along at Facebook.com/DailyHeraldFans and search the hashtag #DHElection on Twitter.

Hot races in DuPage County

Hot races in Lake County

Hot races in the Northwest suburbs

Hot races in the Fox Valley

Hot races in the Tri-Cities area

Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.comVoters arrive at their polling place at Elgin Community College Tuesday.
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