Evanston Voter GuideSpecial election · 2026–27
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Election questions, answered

Short, sourced answers to common questions about Evanston’s 2027 elections: the special election for mayor, the school and college board races, and how to vote.

  1. MayorWhy is Evanston electing a mayor in 2027?Mayor Daniel Biss’s resignation is effective Oct. 18, 2026. State law puts the seat on the April 6, 2027 ballot; the winner serves through May 2029.
  2. MayorWho serves as Evanston’s mayor until the election?Evanston’s City Council picks an acting mayor from its own members with five votes, expected Oct. 26, 2026. The acting mayor serves until the new mayor takes office.
  3. MayorWill Evanston have a mayoral primary in February 2027?Evanston holds a Feb. 23, 2027 mayoral primary only if three or more candidates file. Filing runs Oct. 19–26, 2026; the ballot is certified by Dec. 17.
  4. MayorWhat does Evanston’s mayor do?Evanston’s mayor leads City Council meetings and votes only to break a tie and on hiring or firing the city manager. The 2027 winner serves through May 2029.
  5. District 65What’s the difference between District 65 and District 202?District 65 runs Evanston’s public schools from pre-K to 8th grade; District 202 is Evanston Township High School. Three seats on each board are on the April 6, 2027 ballot.
  6. District 65Can Skokie residents vote in Evanston’s school board elections?District 65 and District 202 both include parts of Skokie. Voters there choose those school board members on April 6, 2027, but do not vote for Evanston mayor.
  7. OaktonWhat is the Oakton College board election?Two Oakton College trustee seats, each a six-year term, are on the April 6, 2027 ballot. Every Evanston voter gets this race.
  8. VotingHow do I vote by mail in Evanston?Any registered Evanston voter can vote by mail. Apply with the Cook County Clerk or join the permanent list. For April 6, 2027, applications open Jan. 6.
  9. VotingHow accessible is voting in Evanston?Every Cook County polling place has an accessible touch screen with audio. You can bring a helper, vote curbside, or request an accessible mail ballot.
  10. VotingCan I get voting help in my language? ¿Puedo recibir ayuda en mi idioma?Every Cook County ballot is in English and Spanish; touch screens and audio ballots offer 12 languages. Language hotline numbers inside. Ayuda en español.
  11. VotingHow do I become an election judge in Evanston?Sign up with the Cook County Clerk to be an election judge. Pay is $250 to $400 depending on the job. Employer notice deadline for April 6, 2027: March 17.
  12. MayorWhat is Evanston’s small-donor matching program?Evanston matches small donations to mayoral candidates who opt in, up to $45,000 per candidate per election cycle. Run by the City Clerk’s Office.
  13. MayorHow many people vote in Evanston mayoral elections?In April 2025, 18,911 ballots were cast for Evanston mayor, about 36% of registered voters. That number also sets 2027 petition requirements.
  14. VotingEvanston election words, explainedWhat alder, council–manager, consolidated election and grace period mean for Evanston’s 2027 elections.
  15. MayorA short history of Evanston’s mayoral electionsFrom Evanston’s last acting mayor in 1970 to the 1992 primary rule and the 2027 special election: how the mayor’s race got here.