Running for Office

To be eligible to run for City Council, a person must be a resident and a qualified elector of the City of Hayward - in other words, eligible to vote.

2026 City of Hayward Election

The City of Hayward will hold a General Municipal Election on Nov. 3, 2026.

The following offices will be on the ballot:

  • Mayor (four-year term)
  • Council Member, District 1 (four-year term)
  • Council Member, District 6 (four-year term)

The City Council includes one mayor elected citywide and six council members elected by district.

To run for office, you must be a registered voter in the City of Hayward. Candidates for City Council must live in the district they want to represent. Only voters who live in that district may vote for that council seat.

Candidate nomination period

The nomination period opens July 13, 2026, and closes at 5 p.m. on Aug. 7, 2026.

If an eligible incumbent does not file a Declaration of Candidacy and Nomination Papers by the deadline, the nomination period for that office will be extended until 5 p.m. on Aug. 12, 2026.

Nomination information

Obtain candidate nomination papers

The City Clerk's Office issues candidate nomination papers during regular business hours.

Office of the City Clerk
777 B St.
Hayward, CA 94541
(510) 583-4400

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Candidates may:

  • Pick up nomination papers in person.
  • Authorize a designee to pick up the papers.
  • Request the papers by email or mail.

Before nomination papers are issued, the City Clerk's Office will verify the candidate's eligibility for the office and collect any required filing fee.

Appointments

Appointments are required to receive or file candidate documents at City Hall. Schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance. Appointments are 30 minutes.

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Request nomination papers by mail or email

Candidates who want nomination papers by mail or email must submit a written request by email.

If papers are sent by mail, the original Nomination Paper will be mailed by Priority Mail.

Complete the candidate oath

Any document that requires the candidate's oath must be completed:

  • Before a notary public.
  • At the City Clerk's Office by appointment.
  • Through an approved online video conferencing service, if available.

File nomination papers

Nomination papers must be filed with the City Clerk's Office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

All nomination papers must be submitted together and must include original signatures.

Candidates who cannot file in person may send the original documents by U.S. Mail or courier. The City Clerk's Office must physically receive the documents by 5 p.m. on the filing deadline. Postmarks are not accepted.

Candidates are responsible for submitting all required documents with original signatures by the filing deadline. Candidates who do not meet the deadline will not qualify to appear on the ballot.

November 3, 2026 General Election Candidate Calendar

July 13, 2026: Under EC § 10220, the Nomination Period opens. This is the first day candidates may pick up nomination papers.

July 31, 2026: FPPC Form 460 Semi-Annual Statement is due. Candidates must file a financial disclosure report covering January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026.

August 5, 2025 – November 3, 2026: FPPC Form 497 (24-hour Contribution Report) must be filed when contributions or loans of $1,000 or more are received from a single source. Reports must be submitted within 24 hours.

August 7, 2026: The Nomination Period closes under EC § 10220. All required nomination papers must be filed by this date.

August 8 – August 12, 2026: The Nomination Extended Period (EC § 10225) begins if the incumbent does not file a Declaration of Candidacy. During these five calendar days, any candidate other than the incumbent may file.

August 13, 2026: The Secretary of State will conduct the Randomized Alphabet Drawing (EC § 13111) to determine the order in which candidates’ names will appear on the ballot.

September 24, 2026: FPPC Form 460 (1st Pre-Election Statement) is due. The report must cover July 1, 2026 through September 19, 2026. Each candidate listed on the ballot must file either Form 460 or Form 470.

October 22, 2026: FPPC Form 460 (2nd Pre-Election Statement) is due. The report must cover September 20, 2026, through October 17, 2026.

November 3, 2026: Election Day (EC § 1000). Vote Centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for in-person voting and ballot drop-off. Vote by Mail ballots must be postmarked no later than this date.

February 1, 2027: FPPC Form 460 Semi-Annual Statement is due. Candidates must file a financial disclosure report covering October 18, 2026 through December 31, 2026.