Naperville Prepares for Early Voting and City Council Ballot Lottery
With early voting concluding Monday and a lottery set for council candidates, residents navigate a packed calendar of local events and community support initiatives.
By Larissa Shah ·
Early voting for the midterm general election ends Monday, Nov. 2, in Naperville.
The city straddles DuPage and Will counties, meaning voters must check which jurisdiction covers their address. Both counties utilize the Naperville Municipal Center for early voting. Will County residents also have the option to vote at the 95th Street Library. On Election Day, polling places operate from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters must go to their assigned location.
Local political proceedings continue with the city council ballot lottery scheduled for noon Monday, Nov. 2. Held in Council Chambers at the Naperville Municipal Center at 400 S. Eagle St., the public event determines the order of candidates who filed petitions at the same time. Mayor Scott Wehrli and Councilman Benny White are competing for the mayorship. Eight residents have filed for four four-year city council seats. The general election for these positions is set for Tuesday, April 6, 2027.
The week also marks the beginning of open enrollment for 2027 Marketplace health insurance. The period runs from Nov. 1, 2026, through Jan. 15, 2027. To secure coverage starting Jan. 1, residents must sign up or review their plans by Dec. 15. The DuPage County Health Department provides free assistance from certified staff, available by calling (630) 682-7400.
Community organizations are mobilizing for Thanksgiving support. Mesón Sabika, located at 1025 Aurora Ave., has offered free traditional turkey dinners since 2001. As of Oct. 26, 2,500 of the 4,000 available dinners had been reserved. Pre-orders close on Nov. 16. Naperville Sunrise Rotary collects paper goods, food storage wraps, and personal hygiene items for the West Suburban Community Pantry on Nov. 6. The pantry serves over 1,000 households weekly.
The VFW Post 3873 will hold a turkey raffle on Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. in Kendall Hall at 908 W. Jackson Ave. Tickets cost $1, with proceeds supporting veterans' programs. Meanwhile, the Naperville Park District returns the Pumpkin Smash event on Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots. The event, paused in 2025 due to construction, involves weighing and smashing pumpkins for compost.
In education, students at Kennedy Junior High in Lisle displayed donated bicycles and helmets on Oct. 22. The Jeff Moores Bicycle Initiative, a partnership between Naperville Outdoor Alliance, Kennedy Home and School, and Spokes Bikes, integrates cycling into physical education for grades six through eight. Community volunteers built storage racks using materials from 84 Lumber.
School district performance reports show improvement in Indian Prairie School District 204. Under the new state framework, 23 schools earned the top Exemplary rating. English Language Arts proficiency rose to 74.3%, and science proficiency increased to 71.4%. Consistent attendance reached 94.4%. The district credited progress by English language learners for the results.
Residents also have several cultural and holiday events scheduled. Naper Settlement will hold Family STEM Nights and a Holiday Tree Lighting on Nov. 18. North Central College presents the play Fun Home from Nov. 5 to Nov. 8. A Veterans Day observance is planned for Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park.
