Chicago Democrat Robin Kelly is widely anticipated to win the special election to replace disgraced former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., but as any seasoned politician knows, nothing is certain until the votes are all in.

Kelly will face off against four other candidates, including Republican Paul McKinley, an African-American, who served close to 20 years in prison for armed robbery, burglary and aggravated battery until he was paroled in 1997.

In the final stretch, Kelly is launching a get-out-the-vote effort to remind voters that even though the odds are in her favor, they still need to head to the polls. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, she said, "We'll be out this weekend with door hangers and reminding people that it's not over and they still need to vote."

The former state legislator said she's been leaving messages on voters' doors and campaigning at train stations, churches and community forums, the Tribune reports.

President Obama recently endorsed Kelly's candidacy because he shares her "passionate advocacy to end gun violence with common-sense solutions." She also has received significant backing from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg because of her position on the hot-button issue.

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 (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)