Hayward’s 2026 election filing window is open through Aug. 7

Hayward’s nomination period for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, general municipal election is underway, giving potential candidates until 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, to file for three city offices.

The election will be Hayward’s first using the district-based City Council system established by the City Council in 2024. The mayor will still be elected citywide, but voters will choose council members by district.

What will be on the ballot

The offices up for election are the mayor and City Council seats for District 1 and District 6. Each position carries a four-year term.

The mayoral race remains an at-large contest, meaning all Hayward voters may vote for mayor. The District 1 and District 6 races are different: candidates must live in the district they seek to represent, and only voters in that district may vote for that council seat.

That distinction matters for residents evaluating council campaigns or deciding which races apply to them. Hayward’s elections page includes a district locator that voters can use to identify their council district.

Key dates for candidates

The regular nomination period began July 13 and closes at 5 p.m. Aug. 7. Candidates must obtain and file the required nomination documents with the Hayward City Clerk. Appointments are required for receiving or filing documents, so prospective candidates should begin the process before the final day.

An Aug. 12 extension is possible, but it is not automatic for every office. If an eligible incumbent does not file by the Aug. 7 deadline, the filing period for that particular office may remain open until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12.

The final candidate field should not be assumed before the filing period closes and the City Clerk confirms which candidates qualified.

Campaign-finance deadlines arrive first

People running for office also face campaign-finance reporting requirements before the nomination deadline. The California Fair Political Practices Commission lists July 31 as a Form 460 deadline for applicable candidate-controlled committees.

Not every candidate necessarily files the same form. Depending on campaign activity and committee status, some candidates may qualify to use Form 470 instead. Candidates should confirm which filing applies to their campaign rather than treating the Form 460 deadline as universal.

The FPPC schedule also identifies Aug. 5, 2026, as the start of a 24-hour reporting period for certain contributions. Additional pre-election reporting deadlines are Sept. 24 and Oct. 22.

What voters should watch next

After the filing period ends, Hayward residents should check the City Clerk’s election information for qualifying candidates, any filing extensions, and the official ballot-order process. A randomized drawing is scheduled under the election calendar to determine ballot order.

For voters, the main practical change is that the mayoral race remains citywide while council races are tied to specific districts. Residents considering a District 1 or District 6 campaign should verify their residence and voter eligibility before filing. Everyone else should use the city’s district locator and confirm registration information before assessing the council candidates who will appear on their ballot.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Until the Aug. 7 deadline passes, the list of candidates and whether any office receives an extension remain subject to change.

Sources

• City of Hayward candidate calendar
• California FPPC 2026 local candidate filing schedule
• Alameda County candidate filing guide