Aurora Voters Approve Mayoral Recall Referendum: Unofficial Election Results

The referendum asked residents to vote in favor or against the option to recall a sitting mayor in Aurora.

By Emily Rosca, Patch Staff

Nov 4, 2026 11:35 AM CST

A majority of voters in the four counties that make up Aurora voted in favor of the mayoral recall referendum on the ballot in Tuesday's general election. (Emily Rosca/Patch)

AURORA, IL — Aurora voters largely passed a referendum that adopts mechanisms that will make it possible to recall a sitting mayor in the city, according to unofficial election tallies.

A majority of voters in the four counties that make up Aurora voted in favor of the referendum on the ballot in Tuesday's general election.

With all precincts reporting, the referendum received 13,561 yes votes (or 59.03 percent) in Kane County, 979 yes votes (or 58.73 percent) in Kendall County, 9,056 yes votes (or 63.13 percent) in DuPage County and 2,284 yes votes (or 59.19 percent) in Will County, according to unofficial totals from the clerks' offices.

Under the recall process, residents would need to circulate petitions and collect at least enough signatures equaling 20 percent of the total votes cast in the most recent mayoral election. Then, the recall would go to a general vote in the following election.

If the recall were to pass, the elected official would be removed from office, and the Aurora City Council would have 30 days to fill the vacancy. If more than 13 months were remaining in the mayor's term, a special election would be held to fill the seat within nine months of the recall election.

The group behind the referendum, Aurora for Change, said the question was meant to empower voters.

"This is bigger than politics. Bigger than personalities," the group says on its website. "This is about empowering citizens, strengthening democracy, and ensuring that the future of Aurora is shaped by the people who live here, not by political insiders. When communities unite around transparency, accountability, and civic participation, real change becomes possible."

Aurora for Change already offers on its website a petition form to begin the recall process.

Some who promoted the referendum have called for Mayor John Laesch's removal. The measure is also financially and publically supported by former Mayor Richard Irvin, according to the Chicago Tribune. Laesch defeated Irvin with 52 percent of the vote in April 2025.

Election results are unofficial until certified by election authorities.