--- title: 2027 special election for Mayor, school boards and Oakton url: https://evanstonvoterguide.com/ updated: 2026-10-07 source_policy: every fact carries a numbered source; [n] markers refer to the Sources list --- Special election · Tuesday, April 6, 2027 # Your ballot, explained. Mayor Daniel Biss resigns effective October 18, 2026. [1] Voters will elect someone to serve the rest of his term, through May 2029, along with members of the District 65, District 202 and Oakton College boards. **181**days to Election Day, Tue Apr 6, 2027 **139**days to the primary — only if 3+ mayoral candidates file **4**local races in this guide **Sample · not an official ballot**Evanston · Apr 6, 2027 [Mayor](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/)1 seat · announced, alphabetical[Jeff Boarini](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/jeff-boarini/)[Jane Grover](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/jane-grover/)[Gilo Kwesi Logan](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/gilo-logan/)[Stephanie Mendoza](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/stephanie-mendoza/)[Elliot Oats](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/elliot-oats/)[Ann Rainey](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/ann-rainey/) [District 65 board](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/d65/)3 seats · declared so far[Dan Coyne](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/d65/dan-coyne/)[Danny Orrock](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/d65/danny-orrock/)[Chris Van Nostrand](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/d65/chris-van-nostrand/)[Natika Washington](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/d65/natika-washington/) [District 202 board](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/d202/)3 seats Candidates file Nov 16–23, 2026. [Oakton College board](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/oakton/)2 seats Candidates file Nov 16–23, 2026. Names listed alphabetically. Official ballot order is set by election officials after filing closes. ## Running for mayor These are candidates who have publicly announced. Nobody is on the ballot until they file between Oct 19 and 26, 2026 and the City Clerk certifies the ballot. Listed alphabetically by last name. [The mayor’s race →](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/) [ Jeff BoariniAnnounced · not yet filed](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/jeff-boarini/)[ Jane GroverAnnounced · not yet filed](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/jane-grover/)[ GLGilo Kwesi LoganAnnounced · not yet filed](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/gilo-logan/)[ Stephanie MendozaAnnounced · not yet filed](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/stephanie-mendoza/)[ Elliot OatsAnnounced · not yet filed](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/elliot-oats/)[ Ann RaineyAnnounced · not yet filed](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/ann-rainey/) ## Your checklist The mayor’s race may have a February primary. It happens only if three or more candidates file. [1] [Every date →](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/vote/#dates) 1. Oct 19–26, 2026Mayoral candidates file[1]With the Evanston City Clerk, Suite 240, 909 Davis St., 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Candidates need 946 to 1,513 valid signatures. 2. Nov 16–23, 2026School and Oakton board candidates file[2][3][4]D65 and D202 candidates file with the Cook County Clerk. Oakton candidates file at Oakton’s Des Plaines campus. 50 signatures. 3. Thu Dec 17, 2026Deadline to certify the mayoral ballot[2]Last day for the City Clerk to certify mayoral candidates to the county. By then we’ll know whether a February primary will be held. 4. Tue Feb 23, 2027Mayoral primary[1][2]Held only if three or more candidates file. Polls open 6 a.m.–7 p.m.Primary only if 3+ mayoral candidates file 5. Tue Mar 9, 2027Regular registration closes[2]After this you can still register in person, with two IDs, during the grace period through Election Day. 6. Sun Mar 21, 2027Online registration closes[2]At ova.elections.il.gov. 7. Thu Apr 1, 2027Mail-ballot application due[2]Mailed applications must be received by the Cook County Clerk. 8. Tue Apr 6, 2027Election Day[2]Mayor, District 65, District 202 and Oakton College boards. Polls open 6 a.m.–7 p.m. ## Before you vote All four take a few minutes on the Cook County Clerk’s website or the state’s online registration site. [**01 / 04** ### Check your registration Confirm you’re registered at your current address, and see your sample ballot and polling place.](https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/your-voter-information)[**02 / 04** ### Register or update online Need an Illinois driver’s license or state ID. Online registration for April closes March 21, 2027.](https://ova.elections.il.gov/)[**03 / 04** ### Request a mail ballot Apply online with the Cook County Clerk, or join the permanent vote-by-mail list.](https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/ways-to-vote/vote-by-mail)[**04 / 04** ### Know your dates Registration, mail-ballot and early-voting deadlines for February and April, all in one place.](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. Illinois State Board of Elections — 2027 Candidate’s Guide (via Running for Office) — https://www.elections.il.gov/RunningForOffice.aspx?MID=rOlNCTNZd9A%3D 4. Oakton College — Board of Trustees board book, August 2026 (Item 8/26-10) — https://www.oakton.edu/_pdfs/board-books/2026/august-2026-board-book.pdf