DATE: June 2, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Calling for the City of Hayward General Municipal Election, to Be Consolidated with the Statewide General Election on November 3, 2026, for the Purpose of Electin g One Council Member from District 1, One Council Member from District 6, and One At-large Mayor, Each to Serve Four-Year Terms; and Adopt a Resolution Establishing Regulations for Candidate Statements
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council (1) adopt a resolution that: a) call s and orders a General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Hayward on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the purpose of electing one Council Member from District 1, one Council Member from District 6, and one at- large Mayor, each to serve four-year terms, b) requests that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors consolidate the City of Hayward General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election, and c) authorizes specific procedural and contractual actions (Attachment II); and (2) adopt a resolution establishing policies for the filing of candidate statements of qualifications (Attachment III).
FISCAL IMPACT
The Alameda County Registrar of Voters has estimated the cost of consolidating elections at $4 to $6 per registered voter. Based on th is estimate, the City projects an election cost of approximately $500,000 and has included this amount in the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Pursuant to the requirements of the City Charter and the Elections Code of the State of California relating to ge neral municipal elections, the City Council is requested to adopt a resolution calling a general municipal election and requesting the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to order the consolidation of the City of Hayward General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Due to expiring terms, it is necessary to elect one Council Member from District 1, one Council Member from District 6, and one at-large Mayor, to serve four-year terms. The City Council is also requested to adopt a resolution setting forth particulars of the election relating to candidate statements.
According to Elections Code 10220, the first day for issuing nomination papers is Monday, July 13, 2026, and the last day is Friday, August 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. If an incumbent decides not to seek re -election, the nomination period extends to Wednesday, August 1 2, 20 26.
Incumbents cannot file during the extended period. The California Secretary of State will conduct a random alpha drawing on August 1 3, 20 26, to determine the order in which candidate names will appear on the ballot.
The Alameda County Registrar of Voters, acting under the direction of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, is requested to provide all necessary election services at the request of the City Clerk. These services include signature verification for nomination petitions, official ballot production, preparation of sample ballots and voter information guides, vote -by-mail operations, vote center and drop boxes, voter registration services, voting equipment, canvassing activities, and any additional services required for the conduct of the General Municipal Election.
The Alameda County Registrar of Voters provides an estimate of the total cost of printing, handling, translating, and mailing candidate statements, including costs associated with compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended . Each candidate submitting a statement must pay an estimated pro rata share in advance as a condition of having the statement included in the voter information pamphlet. Candidates may later be billed for additional actual costs or refunded any excess depending on the final cost of services.
Pursuant to Hayward Municipal Code section 2-13.04, a mayoral candidate who accepts the adjusted Voluntary Expenditure Limit may also accept the established contribution limit, which for 2026 is $1,838 per individual. The current Voluntary Expenditure Limit per mayoral candidates is $93,865. For candidates in district elections who accept the Voluntary Expenditure Limit, the individual contribution limit is $1,500, and the Voluntary Expenditure Limit is $50,000 per individual.
Pursuant to Hayward Municipal Code section 2 -13.03, the current contribution limit for candidates who do not accept the Voluntary Expenditure Limit is $420 per individual.
During the election cycle, campaign disclosure statements for all candidates will be posted on the City’s Election webpage – Public Portal for Campaign Finance Disclosure1 within twenty- four hours of receipt.
The General Municipal Election Calendar (Attachment I V) provides a list of pertinent dates related to the election.
1 Elections Page – Public Portal for Campaign Finance Disclosure https://public.netfile.com/pub2/Default.aspx?aid=HWD
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item is a routine operational item and does not relate to any of the projects outlined in the Council’s Strategic Roadmap.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Information regarding the election is available on the City’s website at: https://www.hayward- ca.gov/your-government/elections
The Notice of Election will be published in the East Bay Times – Daily Review as required by Section 12101 of the California Elections Code. In addition, election-related requirements will be posted on the City’s Elections webpage and included in the 2026 Election Guide, which will be provided to all candidates running for office in the November 3, 2026 election.
Prepared and Recommended by: Miriam Lens, City Clerk
Approved by:
______________________________
Jennifer Ott, City Manager