Hayward City Council nearing decisions on its transition to district elections

The City of Hayward’s transition to geographic district-based elections for City Council moves into its final stages over the next four weeks as decisions are made on Council district maps and the sequencing of which district seats would come up for election in 2026 and subsequently in 2028. 

Under the new system, only the Hayward’s mayor will continue to be elected by at-large, citywide votes—with the six non-mayoral Council seats decided through district-based elections. Terms of office under the new system will remain four years. 

The City’s last at-large election for non-mayoral Council seats will take place during the upcoming Nov. 5 municipal election. 

Hayward is moving to district elections for Council pursuant to an agreement to settle a lawsuit brought under the California Voting Rights Act. The lawsuit contends that at-large elections for municipal offices unlawfully dilute the voting power of Asian Americans. 

To complete the move, the City is scheduled to make publicly available on Sept. 17 final draft maps of the six Council districts. On Oct. 1, the City Council is scheduled to introduce and hold a public hearing on an ordinance finalizing the maps and establishing the sequence and timing of when elections in the six districts will take place. 

Final legislative action and adoption of an ordinance setting forth the district maps and sequencing of district elections is scheduled for Oct. 8. For more information—including to review final draft district maps once posted on Sept. 17—visit www.MapHayward.org.