Windy City showdown: Chicago voters hit the polls to elect new mayor from between two Democrats

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Chicago Democrats Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson to face off in crucial mayoral runoff

Chicago resident Latasha Fields, Devin Jones and Dan Proft discusss the mayoral runoff election between moderate Democrat Paul Vallas and progressive Brandon Johnson.

Chicago voters are entering the booths to decide who will lead the Windy City after outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot didn’t make the runoff.

The mayoral runoff election in Chicago kicked off on Tuesday as citizens cast their ballot between two Democrats: former CEO of Chicago Public Schools Paul Vallas, a moderate, and progressive Democrat Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson.

Johnson — who was endorsed by democratic socialist Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. — came in second in the general election under the police union-backed Vallas, but a runoff was triggered after neither received over 50 percent of the vote.

MODERATE PAUL VALLAS, LEFTIST-BACKED BRANDON JOHNSON FACE OFF IN CHICAGO MAYORAL RACE

The mayoral runoff election in Chicago kicked off on Tuesday as citizens cast their ballot between two Democrats: former CEO of Chicago Public Schools Paul Vallas, a moderate, and progressive Democrat Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson. (Chicago Tribune/Getty Images)

Chicago’s rampant crime has been a mainstay issue throughout the tight race for the Windy City’s top office.

The number of homicides in Chicago in 2021 hit a 25-year-high reaching 797, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Lightfoot came in third place in the general election, becoming the first Chicago mayor in four decades to not win re-election.

Johnson — who was endorsed by democratic socialist Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. — came in second in the general election under the police union-backed Vallas, but a runoff was triggered after neither received over 50 percent of the vote. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Polls are set to close at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, but a competitive election could delay results.

The February general election saw the city count 10 percent of the ballots the day after election day. 

Outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot came in third place in the general election, becoming the first Chicago mayor in four decades to not win re-election. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Getty Images)

City-wide results are expected to be released shortly after the polls close, but results by ward are expected to be released by 1 a.m. ET.

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As of the citywide general election, there were 1.6 million registered voters in Chicago. Sunday saw 246,188 advance ballots cast.

Fifty-two percent of voters cast their ballot before the general election on February 28, and mail-in ballots can be counted well after the election so long as they are postmarked by election day.

Fox News Digital's Ashley Carnahan contributed reporting.