The Chicago Board of Elections announced Thursday that it has resolved the remaining objections to candidate filings, permitting 44 of the original 51 applicants to appear on the November 2026 school board ballot. The decision follows a review of eligibility that cleared all but seven aspirants, including two incumbent board members whose challenges were rejected.
Board members Michilla Blaise, Karen Zaccor and Claudia Peralta signed off on the final list after a series of hearings and paperwork checks. Their resolution removed the last barriers that had kept several candidates from qualifying, allowing the slate to be set well before the municipal election filing deadline.
The cleared roster now includes the two sitting board members whose objections to challengers were overruled, meaning they will face the full field of opponents in November. The remaining five applicants who were not cleared will not be listed on the ballot, effectively ending their campaigns for this cycle.
Chicago’s municipal elections, which occur every two years, feature a school board race that draws considerable attention from parents, educators and community groups. The ballot for that race is finalized only after the Board of Elections completes its eligibility review, a process designed to ensure that all listed candidates meet statutory requirements.
With the list now settled, campaign activities are expected to intensify as candidates reach out to voters across the city. The Board of Elections’ ruling provides clarity for both the candidates and the electorate, establishing the official slate that will appear on the November ballot for the Chicago School Board.