On November 5, Chicagoans will vote for the President of the United States along with various state and local offices. A new addition to the ballot is the election of candidates to represent the Chicago Board of Education. Voters in each of the city’s 10 school districts will select one candidate, while 11 board members, including the president, will be appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, resulting in a new 21-member school board.
After years of mayoral control, these elected representatives will play a crucial role in determining the future of Chicago Public Schools.
Current Board Structure and Changes
The Chicago Board of Education currently oversees Chicago Public Schools and is made up of seven members appointed by the mayor. These board members serve without compensation. Since 1995, the mayor has held the power to appoint board members. The upcoming election will transition to a partially elected board, giving the public more influence over school district governance.
Following the 2024 election, the board will expand to 21 members, with ten elected and 11 appointed by the mayor. Starting in 2026, all board members, including the president, will be elected.
Voting Process
The school board election coincides with the General Election on November 5. To vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the jurisdiction for at least 30 days, and at least 18 years old. You can check your voter registration status online.
Voting options include in-person voting on election day, early voting, and vote-by-mail, with applications for mail-in voting accepted until October 31. Early voting began on October 21, and same-day registration is available at designated locations.
Finding Your District
This election introduces a hybrid structure, with the city divided into ten districts and each district further divided into two sub-districts. Voters will choose one candidate from their district, while the mayor must appoint a board member from the other sub-district.
To find your school board district, visit the city’s designated lookup tool, where you can search by address or place name.
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