What if there were a different way? What if you could rank your choices in order of your preference? Well, there is a system like that and it’s already being used in some jurisdictions. It’s called ranked choice voting. It has its backers as well as detractors.

A resident in the 40th Ward gathers their documentation as they prepare to vote in the April 4 Chicago runoff election at the Budlong Woods Library polling location. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Voter turnout sat at 33.2% when polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday, with 530,382 ballots cast, according to the Chicago Board of Elections. That's compared to 32.1% turnout for the Feb. 28 election.

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson are traveling across the city in the final days of the campaign. (WTTW News)

Both Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas will spend the final days of what is expected to be the closest election in Chicago history scrambling for any possible advantage – and trying to make sure their supporters cast a ballot.

Voters cast their ballots on Election Day on Feb. 28, 2023, at Healy Elementary School, 3040 S. Parnell Ave. (WTTW News)

Fueled by changes made during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of votes cast by mail soared by nearly 20% in the 2023 election as compared to the 2019 election, according to data from the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

(WTTW News)

All Chicagoans can cast their votes early starting March 20.

Voters cast their ballots on Election Day on Feb. 28. 2023, at Healy Elementary School, 3040 S. Parnell Ave. (WTTW News)

There were 507,852 total ballots cast by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and the total citywide turnout for voters stood at 32.1%, according to the Chicago Board of Elections. 

(WTTW News)

“The steady amount of voting that we’ve seen over the last three weeks really suggests that we’re going to have a high turnout for Election Day,” said Max Bever, director of public information at the Chicago Board of Elections.

Voting booths are pictured on Jan. 26, 2023. (WTTW News)

Early voting sites for Chicago’s municipal election will open in all of the city’s 50 wards on Monday, running through Election Day Feb. 28.

When Chicagoans go to the polls to vote for mayor, there’s a crucial piece of information missing from their ballots: the candidates’ political parties. WTTW News Explains tells you the reasons why. 

(WTTW News)

All Chicagoans can cast their votes early at the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners supersite at 191 N. Clark St. and the board’s office at 69 W. Washington St., 6th floor. An early voting location will open in each of Chicago’s 50 wards on Feb. 13.

(WTTW News)

Early voting sites will open to all Chicago voters and voter registration services will be available.

Ald. Roderick Sawyer appears on “Chicago Tonight” via Zoom following his announcement that he is entering Chicago’s mayoral race. (WTTW News)

Former state Sen. Rickey Hendon, a consultant to candidate Willie Wilson, challenged the 6th Ward alderman’s petitions earlier this month. 

(WTTW News)
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An internal analysis from the Chicago Board of Elections found that less than 10% of polling places were compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The board says that doesn’t necessarily mean most of those locations are inaccessible.

A two-page ballot and "Sharpie bleed-through" were the two biggest issues at the polls in Chicago on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Voters should receive a Ballot A and Ballot B but in roughly two dozen precincts, an unknown number of people were only handed Ballot A, officials said. The problem has been corrected.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown, center, and Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx (l) discuss election safety measures, Nov. 4, 2022. (Chicago Police Department / Facebook)

The Chicago Police Department, Cook County State's Attorney's Office and Chicago Board of Elections are coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of voters and poll workers.

(WTTW News)

On Tuesday, the Illinois State Board of Elections warned of a text message disinformation campaign aiming to sow confusion about polling places.