Many of the races have already been decided locally—although there are a few tight ones still up for grabs (such as the Congressional races between Tammy Duckworth and Joe Walsh; Bill Foster and Judy Biggert; and Robert Dold and Brad Schneider).

This week's issue features our Guide to the Gays, which lists LGBT candidates. There are several still in the running for everything from judicial posts to Metropolitan Water Reclamation commissioner. Please see "Elections: Guide to the gays" www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Elections-Guide-to-the-gays/40083.html .

Of course, the battle getting the most exposure is the race between President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney (as well as their respective vice-presidential running mates, Joe Biden and Paul Ryan). Ryan is a current member of the U.S. House, and the latest Human Rights Campaign scorecard (for the 112th Congress) gave him a score of zero. (When Obama was a U.S. senator, his scores in the 109th and 110th sessions were 89 and 94, respectively.)

As always, there are political charts that show recommendations and endorsements from various organizations and associations as well as candidates' scores on our questionnaire. (Windy City Times does not endorse any candidates.) Download the four pages of the printable election guide chart at the following links:

www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/p1CookCongILGenAsmby2012.pdf .

www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/p2ILGenAsmbyCntd2012.pdf .

www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/p3JudicialEvals2012.pdf .

www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/p4JudicialRetentions2012.pdf .

Lastly, please do not forget to vote; everyone's voice deserves to be heard. And please feel free to take our charts into the voting booth with you.

Also, don't forget that early voting ends Nov. 3. Voting locations and hours are listed at www.cookcountyclerk.com . In Chicago, visit www.chicagoelections.com for sites and times.

People who vote early must vote in person.