According to the Chicago Tribune, objections have been filed against seven of the 25 candidates seeking seats on the Aurora City Council in the April 2027 election. The challenges, if upheld by the Aurora Electoral Board, could leave some races uncontested and eliminate the need for a primary election in certain wards, directly impacting Aurora residents who will vote in the upcoming municipal contests.
The Aurora Electoral Board is scheduled to hear the objections at 9 a.m. on Monday in the council chambers at Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place. The filing deadline for objections was Nov. 2, the same day the lottery for ballot placement was conducted.
In the 1st Ward, Alderman Daniel Barreiro filed an objection against his sole opponent, Hugo Saltijeral, alleging duplicate signatures that violate Illinois election law, which prohibits a voter from signing nomination papers for more than one candidate for the same office.
Three objections target candidates for the open 5th Ward seat. After incumbent Alderman Carl Franco announced in July that he would not seek reelection, eight individuals submitted petitions. Aurora resident Gregory Jackman filed objections to Andrea Jones, Kendala Coleman and Miguel Diaz, claiming incomplete or improperly numbered petition sheets, missing office designations, insufficient signatures, and, in Diaz’s case, a failure to file an economic interest statement. Sandra Schmitt also objected to Jones for not numbering her sheets.
In the 8th Ward, resident Linda Grula objected to two challengers of incumbent Patty Smith—Jennifer Pazos and Tony Michelassi—asserting that each failed to provide enough valid signatures. If the board approves these objections, the ballot could be reduced from five to three candidates, likely removing the requirement for a primary election in that ward.
For the at-large seat currently held by Alderman Will White, candidate Char Petersen objected to David Smith, citing illegible petition sheets caused by two binding holes and a portion of invalid signatures.
The consolidated election is set for April 6, 2027, with a primary election slated for Feb. 23, 2027, should more than four candidates qualify for any given seat. The aldermanic seats up for election include the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th wards and one at-large position. Incumbents Barreiro (1st Ward), Ted Mesiacos (3rd Ward), Michael Saville (6th Ward), Patty Smith (8th Ward) and Will White (at-large) have all filed for reelection.
What’s next: Aurora residents will watch the Electoral Board’s decision on the objections at the Monday hearing. Approved challenges could reshape the ballot, potentially eliminating primaries in the 1st, 5th, and 8th wards and influencing which candidates appear on the April 6, 2027, general election ballot.
Sources: chicagotribune.com
