Evanston Voter GuideSpecial election · 2026–27
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Explainer · Published Fri Oct 16, 2026

A short history of Evanston’s mayor

Short answer

The 2027 race follows rules set over decades: a 1992 referendum decides when there is a primary, and the City Council fills the seat in the meantime, as it last did in 1970. [1][2]

  • 1970: Evanston’s last acting mayor, Ald. Peter Jans. [2]
  • 1992: Voters adopt, by referendum, the rule that holds a February primary only when three or more candidates file. [1]
  • 2021: Daniel Biss wins the February primary with about 74% and becomes mayor. [3][4]
  • 2023: The City Council creates the small-donor matching program for mayoral races. [5]
  • 2025: Two candidates run, so there is no primary; 18,911 ballots are cast for mayor and Biss is re-elected to a term through May 2029. [6][1]
  • 2026: Biss’s resignation is effective October 18. [1]
  • 2027: Special election for mayor on Tuesday, April 6. [7]
Related

Sources

  1. City of Evanston, City Clerk — 2027 Special Mayoral Election — https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/city_clerks_office/2025_consolidated_elections/index.php · accessed 2026-10-06
  2. Evanston Now — Biss calls Oct. 19 meeting to pick acting mayor — https://evanstonnow.com/biss-calls-oct-19-meeting-to-pick-acting-mayor/ · accessed 2026-10-06
  3. 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/ · accessed 2026-10-06
  4. Evanston RoundTable — Biss announces resignation date (June 23, 2026) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2026/06/23/biss-announces-resignation-date/ · accessed 2026-10-06
  5. Evanston RoundTable — Evanston OKs small-donor match program for mayoral elections (Sept. 27, 2023) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2023/09/27/evanston-oks-small-donor-match-program-for-next-mayoral-election/ · accessed 2026-10-16
  6. Evanston RoundTable — Mayor Daniel Biss announces reelection campaign (Aug. 27, 2024) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2024/08/27/mayor-daniel-biss-announces-reelection-campaign/ · accessed 2026-10-16
  7. Illinois State Board of Elections — 2027 Election & Campaign Finance Calendar (via Running for Office) — https://www.elections.il.gov/RunningForOffice.aspx?MID=rOlNCTNZd9A%3D · accessed 2026-10-06