Aurora is a home-rule municipality and is governed by a charter adopted by the voters. There are three classifications of election officials: an at-large mayor, four at-large council members, and six ward council members. Aurora's elections are non-partisan, where elected officials are elected to office without consideration of political party affiliation.
Aurora participates in coordinated elections, an election that the county clerk and recorder conducts on behalf of two or more political subdivisions that are hosting an election on the same day in November and the eligible voters for each election are the same or the boundaries overlap. The City Clerk is the designated election official for Aurora and is responsible for the petition process, campaign finance requirements, certifying the ballot content, and all other requirements as outlined in the City Charter and City Code.