# Chicago 2027 election calendar: filing, early voting, Election Day and the runoff

Every date for Chicago's February 23, 2027 municipal election and the April 6, 2027 runoff, from the [Chicago Board of Election Commissioners' 2027 calendar](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) (also on the Board's [election calendars page](https://m.chicagoelections.gov/getting-ballot/election-calendars)). "To be confirmed" means the Board hasn't published that date yet.

| Date | What happens | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Jul 28, 2026 | Candidates may start circulating nominating petitions | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| Oct 19, 2026 to Oct 26, 2026 | Candidate filing period: nominating papers are filed with the Board. Alderperson candidates need at least 473 valid signatures from voters in their ward. | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| Oct 27, 2026 to Nov 2, 2026 | Objection period: voters may challenge a candidate's nominating papers | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| Dec 17, 2026 | Last day to withdraw; the Board certifies the candidates on the ballot | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Last day to file as a write-in candidate. Later (Feb. 16, 2027) if an objection is sustained after this date. | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| **To be confirmed** | Early voting locations and hours. The Board publishes the schedule between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9, 2027. | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://chicagoelections.gov/voting/early-votingvote-centers) |
| Jan 14, 2027 to Feb 22, 2027 | Early voting: earliest start through the day before the election. Jan. 14 is the earliest date the law allows; the Board's schedule sets the actual days. | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| Jan 26, 2027 | Last day of regular voter registration. Grace-period registration and voting continue in person through Election Day. | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| Feb 18, 2027 | Last day to apply for a mail ballot by mail or online | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| Feb 23, 2027 | Election Day (polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.) | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| Feb 25, 2027 to Apr 5, 2027 | Runoff early voting: earliest start through the day before the runoff | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| Mar 16, 2027 | Last day for the Board to proclaim the February results | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| Apr 6, 2027 | Runoff, in wards where no candidate won more than half the vote | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |
| May 17, 2027 | New Council term begins at noon | [Chicago Board of Elections](https://cboeprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/prod/2026-06/2027%20Election%20Calendar-ADOPTED.pdf) |

Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Registration, mail ballots and polling places: [chicagoelections.gov](https://chicagoelections.gov).

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[How we list candidates, and our corrections policy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/elections/2027/criteria) · [All 2027 races](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/elections/2027) · [Election calendar](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/elections/2027/calendar) · [Objections](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/elections/2027/objections)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/elections/2027/calendar · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt