On October 8, 2024, the Hayward City Council adopted Ordinance No. 24-07, implementing a by-district election system of six City Councilmembers. A new district map was selected along with its election sequence: Districts 1 and 6 are up for election in 2026, and Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5 are up for election in 2028.

Visit the Selected Map page for more information.

A summary of the districting process is available here.

While the district formation process is complete, this site remains live to serve as an archive of the election changes including the schedule, draft maps and resources.

Background

The City of Hayward has reached a court-approved settlement that brings to a close a lawsuit brought under the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) on behalf of Hayward resident Jack Wu and Neighborhood Elections Now, Inc. The lawsuit asserted that Hayward’s at-large election system for Council unlawfully dilutes the voting power of Asian Americans.

The City Council initiated the move to district elections on April 16, 2024, when it passed a resolution directing City staff to begin a process provided for under the CVRA for drawing district-election maps for Council. Under the settlement agreement, legislation establishing Hayward’s six Council districts must be adopted by October 14, 2024. (For more information, see the City’s press release announcing the settlement agreement.)

District Elections

The City of Hayward, like hundreds of cities and school districts across the state, is making a change in how voters elect its City Council. Beginning in 2026, voters will vote for one Council Member who lives in their district. This will replace the current system of at-large elections.

How to participate?

Share your specific thoughts, draw a map, or attend an upcoming public hearing to get involved!

  • Submit written comment about your community, the process, or a specific map to districting@hayward-ca.gov or mail or drop off in person to City of Hayward, 4th Floor, c/o City Clerk’s Office, 777 B Street, Hayward, California 94541
  • Click here to see the calendar of public hearings
  • Click here for information on drawing and submitting maps
  • Click here to view the draft maps once made available

At the public hearings, we encourage you to:

  • Share your story
  • Define your neighborhood or community of interest
  • Explain why districting is relevant to your community
  • Get the tools you need to draw a map of one district or of all districts
  • Share your opinions of the draft maps