How to vote / What to watch / 3 other things

It’s Election Day.

■ Why vote? Columnist Eric Zorn: “I used to be an ‘If you don’t care, don’t vote’ guy. … But I converted.”

■ For the first time, the NBA has deliberately avoided scheduling games on Election Day.

How to vote.

■ Find your polling place in Chicago and the suburbs.

■ Here’s where to get free or discounted transportation to polling places across the country.

■ Where to vote if you’re dealing with disability.

■ Trouble at your polling place? Call 866-OUR-VOTE.

■ Generate a customized ballot for suburban Cook County or Chicago.

■ Consult the League of Women Voters’ guide.

■ Hear and see candidates in their own words at WTTW’s guide.

■ Check other guides at Block Club Chicago, WBEZ and the Sun-Times.

■ See the Chicago Votes roundup of candidate answers to “questions about issues that young people give a sh*t about.”
■ Every item and race on your ballot detailed: BallotReady and Ballotpedia.

Read endorsements …

■ … including the snarky and influential Girl, I Guess Progressive Voter Guide …

■ … the Tribune’s picks …

■ … and veteran political activists Jon Hale and Lynn Kamenitsa’s “Election + Action Guide.”

About those referenda.

■ Item No. 1 on Illinois ballots: A Right to Collective Bargaining amendment to the state constitution.

■ Read Ballotpedia’s overview and WTTW’s explanation.

■ Cook County voters get their say on a property tax hike for the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

About judges.

■ Slice through all those races with the VoteforJudges.org bar association ratings of Cook County candidates …

■ … the For What It’s Worth guide to judicial election guides …

■ … including Injustice Watch’s “Check Your Judges” guide.

■ Outside Cook County? For What It’s Worth has you covered.

What to watch. (And listen to.)

■ Axios lists seven bellwethers for tonight’s returns.

■ The Washington Post offers five questions to ponder as those numbers roll in.

■ Get breaking news on the Chicago Public Square Facebook page.

■ Monitor updates through the day and night at NBC5.

■ The AP has tips for surviving social media at this critical time.

■ Relentlessly upbeat Michael Moore offers an Election Day mixtape.

■ Stephen Colbert’s and Jimmy Kimmel’s shows air live tonight.

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Three other things.

■ A Lightfoot win. In an election year boon to the mayor, the City Council’s approved a new budget free of property tax increases—but lacking progressive commitments like the restoration of an environment department.

■ Hideout’s flameout. Reporter John Greenfield shares insiders’ insights on the shutdown of a celebrated Chicago music bar.

■ Caged bird. Elon Musk reportedly is considering putting all of Twitter behind a paywall.

Thanks. Chicago Public Square is always free, thanks to the support of a few—including Clyde Simpson, Stephen Brown, James Haglund, Daniela Dolak, Ann Fisher, Tom Petersen, Paul Wedeen, Sue Omanson, Robert Izral, Mary Bunker, Paula Weinbaum, Tim Ward, Susan Hardy, Michael Brooks, Kathy Catrambone, Jane Hirt, Debbie Becker, Jim Parks, Collin Canright, Doug Freedman, Kate Arias, Cate Plys, Bob Ely, Bob Saigh, Clifton Wilson, Neil Parker, Christine Hauri, Michael Levin, Cynde Seegers and Michael Romain.

■ You can join their celebrated ranks for as little as $1—one time (cool!) or recurring (cooler!)—here.