---
title: Will Evanston have a mayoral primary in February 2027?
url: https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/february-primary/
updated: 2026-10-16
source_policy: every fact carries a numbered source; [n] markers refer to the Sources list
---

[Home](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/) / [Explainers](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/) / Will there be a February primary? Explainer · Published Fri Oct 16, 2026

# Will there be a February primary?

More explainers

1. [Why is Evanston electing a mayor in 2027?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/why-special-election/)
2. [Who serves as Evanston’s mayor until the election?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/acting-mayor/)
3. [What does Evanston’s mayor do?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/what-does-the-mayor-do/)
4. [What’s the difference between District 65 and District 202?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/d65-vs-d202/)
5. [Can Skokie residents vote in Evanston’s school board elections?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/skokie-voters-school-boards/)
6. [What is the Oakton College board election?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/oakton-college-board/)
7. [How do I vote by mail in Evanston?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/vote-by-mail/)
8. [How accessible is voting in Evanston?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/accessible-voting/)

[All explainers →](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/)

Short answer

Only if three or more candidates for mayor file. With one or two candidates, the race goes straight to the April 6, 2027 ballot. [1]

## The rule

Evanston voters adopted this rule by referendum on November 3, 1992. [1] If a primary is needed, it is held Tuesday, February 23, 2027. [1][2]

## Dates that decide it

- October 19–26, 2026: mayoral candidates file with the City Clerk. Each needs 946 to 1,513 valid signatures. [1]
- November 2, 2026: objections to nomination papers are due. [2][1]
- December 17, 2026: last day to certify the ballot and for a candidate to withdraw. By then we will know whether a primary will be held. [2]

## What a primary does

The City Clerk’s page says the top two primary finishers advance to April. Local reporting says a candidate who wins more than 50% in the primary wins outright, as Daniel Biss did in 2021 with about 74%. [1][3][4][5] The Clerk’s page does not address a majority winner; we will update this page when the Clerk confirms the rule.

One more nuance: the Clerk’s page ties the primary to how many candidates file, while news reports say qualify. Those differ if an objection removes a candidate. [1]

Related

- [The mayor’s race](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/)
- [Every key date](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/vote/#dates)

## Sources

1. City of Evanston, City Clerk — 2027 Special Mayoral Election — https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/city_clerks_office/2025_consolidated_elections/index.php
2. Illinois State Board of Elections — 2027 Election & Campaign Finance Calendar (via Running for Office) — https://www.elections.il.gov/RunningForOffice.aspx?MID=rOlNCTNZd9A%3D
3. Evanston RoundTable — When Biss leaves for Washington, what’s next for mayor’s seat (Mar. 26, 2026) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2026/03/26/when-biss-leaves-for-washington-whats-next-for-mayors-seat/
4. Evanston RoundTable — Early results show Biss leading in mayoral race (Feb. 23, 2021) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/02/23/early-result-show-biss-leading-in-mayoral-race/
5. Evanston RoundTable — Biss announces resignation date (June 23, 2026) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2026/06/23/biss-announces-resignation-date/