Chicago voters are expected to line up at polls today for their final chance to participate in the election.

The big picture: People waited for hours to vote at early voting sites across the area on Monday.

Here are a few things you should know:

🗳️ Polls are already open (6am) and will stay open until at least 7pm.

• If you are in line by 7pm, you can still vote.
• If you are voting by mail, the ballot must be postmarked by Election Day to count or deposited today in a polling drop box.

State of play: Voters can go to their assigned polling place, or select early voting sites. Find your precinct location or the nearest early voting center here.

• You can still register to vote today at your home precinct or any early voting site. You need two forms of ID with at least one listing you current address.
• If you need a ride to the polls, both Uber and Lyft are offering discounts. Also, SpotHero is giving 10% off for first-time users of the parking app.

Zoom in: You are not allowed to wear political propaganda or hand out literature within 100 feet of a Chicago polling place. You also cannot take photos of your ballot while voting.

🚨 Ballot and voter security

This election season, some states, but not Illinois, have reported unsuccessful hacks to their voting systems and ballot box tampering.

Of note: No voting machine is ever connected to the internet at any time. After polls close, results are transmitted to the main office by secured cellular service. Printed ballots are physically delivered.

What to do: If you witness someone trying to tamper with a polling place drop box, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications is asking you to call 9-1-1.

⏳ Results

While most statewide, county, city and congressional races may be called tonight, others will take longer.

• The spring Cook County state's attorney primary, for example, took more than 10 days to call.

Election boards around the state will start counting ballots after the polls close at 7pm, with early and mail-in votes cast before Monday tabulated first.

Go deeper

Starting today drivers who illegally park in bus and bike lanes could get citations even if police are nowhere around.

How it works: Under a two-year pilot program, city employees will drive camera-equipped vehicles in the area bordered by Roosevelt Road and North Avenue and Ashland Avenue and the lake.

• The cameras will photograph vehicles parked or standing in bus or bike lanes (even for a few moments) and drivers will be sent citations through the mail.

Why it matters: The program could improve bus travel times and safety for cyclists who often have to ride around illegally parked vehicles.

Yes, but: Citations issued over the next month will just be warnings.

• Starting Dec. 5, first-time warnings will be followed by a fine for any subsequent violations — $90 for bus lane parking and $250 for bike lane parking.

What's next: The city is starting with eight enforcement vehicles, but in 2025, six cameras will be added to CTA buses and "in the near future," officials say, the program will enforce meter violations too.

• At the end of two years, the City Council will evaluate whether to continue or expand the program.

The presidential election and its potential fall out are driving high rates of stress among Americans this year, per a new American Psychological Association (APA) survey.

Why it matters: Anxiety can have measurable health effects, including activating high levels of stress hormones related to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease and more.

• But there are things you can do to mitigate it.

🚴🏿 Get active: Go for a lakefront bike, walk or jog where you can remind yourself that our 14,000-year-old Lake Michigan has seen a lot of turmoil and she's still rolling along.

• Five Point Holistic Health in Logan Square is offering an election night drop-in Qigong class and $25 acupuncture aimed at helping people destress.
• Join a Tuesday night restorative yoga class at The Lab or register for a low-cost Park District fitness class.

🧘🏻 Take a breather: Experts say even five minutes of deep breaths (we like this box breathing technique) can make a big difference.

🥳 Connect with others: Meet up with friends, family, neighbors or likeminded voters at an election night party.

🎻 Turn out for tunes: Switch off the news for a bit and catch performers outside local polling stations or relaxing music from this NPR list.

Get help: If your worries don't dissipate and you think you have anxiety, contact a health care provider or if needed, contact 988 for crisis support.

A Chicago police officer was reportedly shot and killed last night while on duty in Chatham. Another person was also found dead at the shooting scene, according to sources. (Sun-Times)

🎶 Legendary music producer Quincy Jones died Sunday at the age of 91. Jones was born on the South Side during the Great Depression and called himself a "street rat." (Downbeat)

🎄 The city's official Christmas tree, now up at Millennium Park, was donated by a Logan Square family. (ABC)

👋 Hi, it's Justin! 

I tallied up my career highlights and realized this year is my eighth time covering a presidential election night. 

• If you include all elections, this marks my 30th year burning the midnight oil. 

Why it matters: It doesn't. It's just a great way to transition to my election quiz! 

• If you get a perfect score, screenshot the result and reply to this email for a shout-out! 

How well do you know Chicago's long, sordid history with elections?

Take the quiz here!