Early Voting Begins for Chicago's April 4 Runoff Election: Choose Your Next Mayor and Aldermen Now!

Chicagoans have the opportunity to cast their ballots early for the April 4 runoff election that will decide the city’s next mayor and 14 aldermen.

Photo byU.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - Public Domain via Flickr

Early Voting Locations

Early voting began on Monday, March 20, at the city’s Supersite, located at 191 N. Clark St., as well as early voting locations in all 50 wards. Sites are open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters can find their nearest early voting location by visiting the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners website or by calling (312) 269-7900.

Vote by Mail

For Chicago residents who choose to vote by mail, ballots can be returned to a secure drop box at any of the city’s early voting locations or Election Day polling places. Voters can continue to send in vote-by-mail applications until March 30, which is the final day the city’s Board of Elections can receive new applications.

Mayoral Race

The mayoral runoff election pits Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson against former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas.

Both candidates are vying for endorsements from political leaders across the city and the country, as well as trying to energize their base and boost turnout among young people, minorities, and undecided voters.

Johnson has received the backing of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who will headline a pre-election rally for him at the UIC Forum on Thursday. Johnson has also been endorsed by former mayoral candidates Lori Lightfoot, Toni Preckwinkle, and Willie Wilson.

Vallas has secured the support of former President Barack Obama, who recorded a robocall for him that went out to Chicago voters on Monday. Vallas has also been endorsed by former mayoral candidates Gery Chico, Susana Mendoza, and Jerry Joyce.

The two candidates have clashed over issues such as crime, public safety, education, taxes, and corruption. They faced off in a forum hosted by FOX 32 on Tuesday night, where they exchanged jabs and defended their records and proposals.

Aldermanic Races

In addition to the mayoral election, 14 of the city’s 50 wards will also be voting in an aldermanic runoff race, due to no candidate receiving at least 50 percent of the vote in the Feb. 28 election.

Some of the most competitive and contentious races include:

• Ward 15: Incumbent Raymond Lopez faces challenger Rafael Yanez, a former police officer and community activist.
• Ward 16: Incumbent Stephanie Coleman faces challenger David Moore, a former alderman who lost his seat in Ward 17 after redistricting.
• Ward 25: Incumbent Danny Solis faces challenger Byron Sigcho-Lopez, a community organizer and former teacher.
• Ward 40: Incumbent Andre Vasquez faces challenger Maggie O’Keefe, a digital marketing consultant and community activist.
• Ward 43: Incumbent Michele Smith faces challenger Derek Lindblom, a former aide to Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Sen. Dick Durbin.

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