Catalans are preparing to vote in an election that could change the political landscape in Spain.
It's essentially another chance for voters to support or reject independence - after October's unsanctioned referendum triggered an aggressive response from Madrid.
Riot police forcibly prevented voters from entering some polling stations during that contested vote.
After the Catalan parliament later declared independence in response to the referendum result, Spanish leaders moved to impose direct rule over the region and called fresh elections.
Polls ahead of today's vote show an even split of support for pro-independence and pro-union parties.
Catalonia's independence supporters say the wealthy region should not have to subsidise the rest of the country.
Pablo Casado, from Madrid's ruling Popular Party, says that's foolish:
