The City of Hayward formally began the transition to a district-based election system with the opening on Monday of the nomination period for candidates to pick-up and file paperwork to run for Mayor, District 1 Councilmember and District 6 Councilmember in the Nov. 3, 2026, Hayward general municipal election.

The upcoming election is the first being held under the new district-based election system for City offices established by the Hayward City Council in 2024.

Under the system, Hayward’s Mayor continues to be elected at-large by citywide vote, but Councilmembers making up the rest of the City’s seven-member legislative body will be elected by voters who reside within their respective geographic districts, starting with Districts 1 and 6 on Nov. 3, 2026.

Councilmember seats representing Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be up for election in November 2028. The elected terms of offices of Mayor and Councilmember remain four years under the district-based system.

To qualify to run for Mayor or Councilmember, the required paperwork must be picked up and submitted to Hayward City Clerk Miriam Lens by Aug. 7. Nomination papers are issued and collected by the City Clerk (Elections Official) or her designee. The nomination period would be extended five days to Aug. 12 for offices for which the incumbent officeholder does not seek reelection. Residents wishing to pick up nomination papers should schedule an appointment by calling the City Clerk’s Office at (510) 583-4400.

For more information about running for City office, go to the Running for Office page on the City of Hayward website. To determine your Council district or for questions about voting and the elections process, go to the Elections page on the City’s website or contact the City Clerk’s Office at (510) 583-4400 or cityclerk@hayward-ca.gov.