Chicago Mayoral Candidates File Nominating Petitions
Candidates are submitting signature totals well above the required threshold to secure a spot on the February ballot.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Elections
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Mayoral hopefuls have begun submitting their nominating petitions at the Chicago Board of Elections. Candidates are required to file 12,500 valid signatures to appear on the municipal ballot for the upcoming election.
Why it matters
The signature filing period is a critical first step in determining the field for the February 2027 election. Many campaigns submit significantly more signatures than the minimum requirement to insulate themselves against potential ballot challenges.
Candidates must secure 12,500 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. Major filings include 60,000 from Alexi Giannoulias, 42,000 from Mike Quigley, 36,000 from John Kelly, 35,000 from Willie Wilson, and 33,000 from Matt Brewer.
The players
Alexi Giannoulias
He is a candidate for mayor who reported the submission of 60,000 signatures.
Brandon Johnson
He is the current mayor of Chicago who is expected to file his petitions later this week.
Willie Wilson
He is a mayoral candidate who submitted 35,000 signatures to the elections board.
Susana Mendoza
She is a candidate for mayor who plans to submit her nominating petitions next Monday.
Chicago Board of Elections
This is the city agency responsible for processing candidate filings and verifying ballot qualifications.
The details
Candidates visited the elections facility in the Loop to hand in their paperwork. While the filing process is currently underway, the official qualification status for all hopefuls will not be confirmed until the Board of Elections finishes its review in December.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: Candidates began filing their nominating petitions.
Week of October 19, 2026: Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to file his petitions.
October 26, 2026: Susana Mendoza is scheduled to submit her petitions.
December 17, 2026: The Board of Elections will determine who qualifies for the ballot.
February 2027: The Chicago municipal election will take place.
Political Context
The filing process is governed by the rigorous signature requirements of the Illinois Election Code. Opposing camps often utilize this phase to initiate legal challenges against rivals who fail to meet strict validation thresholds.
As candidates finalize their paperwork, the city prepares for a municipal election that will determine future leadership and local policy direction. Voters should expect increased campaign visibility and potential legal challenges to candidate eligibility in the coming weeks.
The takeaway
The filing period serves as the initial test for mayoral campaigns to prove their organizational strength and legal compliance. Voters should prepare for an active race as the official field of candidates takes shape ahead of the February election.
What happens next
The Chicago Board of Elections is scheduled to finalize the list of candidates who have successfully qualified for the ballot on December 17, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming municipal contest, visit the Chicago Elections page.
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