Elections

• Each candidate must be a citizen of the United States and of the state
• Each candidate must be a qualified elector of the City of Aurora
• Each candidate must be a resident of the City for one (1) year preceding election or appointment
• No person shall be eligible to hold office who is in arrears in the payment of taxes, assessments, fines and service charges levied or assessed by the City
• No person shall be eligible to hold office who has been convicted in any court located in the United States of any infamous crime, bribery, perjury or other felony.
• Each Alderman representing a ward shall be a resident of that ward at the time of his election or, in the case of filling a vacancy, his appointment, and during the time he holds office.

The 2027 Candidates Guide can be found under the "Election Guides” dropdown on the Illinois State Board of Elections' website.

Please note that the City Clerk does not interpret statutes or provide legal or other election advice, and is not responsible for any information provided, or for misinterpretation or omissions by any candidate. Candidates seeking further information or legal interpretation should seek legal counsel or refer directly to Illinois statutes. Additional questions should be directed to the Illinois State Board of Elections at (312) 814-6440 or online at https://elections.il.gov. 

The petition filing period is to be determined at the City of Aurora City Clerk's Office, 44 E. Downer Place, 1st Floor. The City Clerk will be open during regular business hours from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., during the filing period.

In the event that two or more petitions are simultaneously filed for the same office as of the opening hour of the filing period or within the last hour of the filing deadline, the City Clerk (Local Election Official) shall break such ties by means of the lottery system approved by the Illinois State Board of Elections, within nine (9) calendar days after the last day of the petition filing period.

If necessary, the Lottery for ballot placement will take place at City Hall 44 E. Downer Place, in City Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor.

The lottery system shall follow State Board of Elections' Rules and Regulations set forth in the Illinois Administrative Code Title 26 Section 201.40 and shall generally consist of the following process:

1. Candidate names are placed in alphabetical order and then numbered
2. Assigned numbers of candidates are placed into a container
3. After thoroughly shaken and mixed, numbers are drawn and the first number drawn shall be certified on the ballot ahead of the other candidates listed on the alphabetical list. All remaining numbers drawn shall be listed 2nd, 3rd, etc. 

Objections to Nomination Papers may be filed during regular business hours of 8:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M. at the office of the City Clerk.

Electoral Board Meeting Information

The (3)-person Electoral Board, consisting of the Mayor, the longest serving Alderman, and the City Clerk (subject to statutorily required substitutions), will meet if objections are filed before the deadline stated above. Information regarding any scheduled Electoral Board meetings will be posted as they are scheduled.

Illinois law and judicial precedent govern the nomination process for candidates for local office and the process for making objections to nominating papers. Neither the City Clerk or City Clerk's staff takes responsibility or liability for a candidate's action or lack of action. Any information provided by City staff is not legal advice and is for reference purposes only. In accepting filings, the City Clerk's Office does not express any opinion as to the legal sufficiency or validity of any document. City staff may not provide candidates, objectors or members of the public with any advice as to the legal sufficiency or validity of a candidate's nominating papers or of any objections made to those nominating papers. Should the candidate have any questions regarding the elections and the nomination process, reference may be made to the Illinois Election Code (10 ILCS 5/-1, et seq.), the Illinois State Board of Elections, or an attorney. Candidates and objectors are responsible for obtaining their own legal advice, it they choose to do so, throughout all the stages of nomination process.