District-Based Elections

On Monday, May 19, the Gilroy City Council held the sixth and final Public Hearing in the City’s transition to district-based elections. At this hearing, the Council adopted Map F as Gilroy’s official district map.

In addition to finalizing the map, the Council also adopted the election sequencing for each district:

  • Districts 4, 5, and 6 (as shown in Map F) will be up for election in 2026
  • Districts 1, 2, and 3 (as shown in Map F) will be up for election in 2028

We sincerely thank everyone who engaged in this important process—whether by submitting communities of interest, drafting maps, or offering feedback and public comments.

On December 16, 2024, the City received a letter from an attorney alleging that the City is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act ("CVRA") and threatening litigation if the City declines to voluntarily change to a district-based election system for electing Councilmembers. A majority of the Council gave direction to staff to proceed with agendizing the resolution of intent in order to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Elections Code section 10010 and avoid costly litigation. At the meeting on February 24, 2025, the City Council approved Resolution No. 2025-07, declaring the City of Gilroy's intent to initiate procedures to transition from at-large elections to district-based elections.

The City of Gilroy had employed an at-large elections system in which voters of the entire City elect six City Council Members and one Mayor. A district-based election is one in which the City is divided into separate districts, each with one City Council Member who resides in the district and is chosen by the voters in that particular district. On Monday, March 17, the City Council directed the demographers and staff to move forward with maps that contain six (6)  seats and retain the at-large mayor position. The district election system will be introduced for the 2026 election.

Be Part of the Process

The transition to a district-based election system is an open, public process where public input is sought after and appreciated. California Elections Code Section 10010 mandates that five public hearings must be held throughout the transition process. The initial public hearings gather input from the community to better understand the distinct neighborhoods within Gilroy. This information is used to create the draft district maps. 

Workshop Schedule

Spanish-language materials and interpretation services were provided at each workshop.

Tuesday, March 25

 

Saturday, March 29

Public Hearing Schedule

Public hearings were conducted during City Council meetings.

Spanish-language interpretation services were provided at each of the public hearings.

To view past staff reports, meeting videos, and meeting presentations, select the links below.

Monday, March 3, 2025 | First Public Hearing 

Monday, March 17, 2025 | Second Public Hearing

Monday, April 7, 2025 | Third Public Hearing 

Monday, April 21, 2025 | Fourth Public Hearing

Monday, May 5, 2025 | Fifth Public Hearing

Monday, May 19, 2025 | Sixth Public Hearing

Publicly Submitted Maps

Gilroy residents were invited to submit district map proposals to help shape the City's transition to district-based elections. Professional demographers reviewed each submission for compliance with districting criteria.

Maps that met the legal requirements were considered by the City Council. 

Districtr Map Review (This link takes you to a website where you can view all of the maps and zoom in and out to see the map details.)

Each of the public maps are posted to the Districtr Map link above, and available below in PDF format for viewing or printing.

Public Maps Submitted Prior to 5:00 PM on March 31, 2025

  1. ID 288689
  2. ID 288702
  3. ID 288706
  4. ID 289081
  5. ID 289084
  6. ID 289094
  7. ID 289103
  8. ID 289301
  1. ID 289422
  2. ID 289567
  3. ID 289693
  4. ID 289695
  5. ID 289808
  6. ID 290180
  7. ID 290307
  8. ID 290309
  1. ID 290576
  2. ID 290606
  3. ID 291655
  4. ID 291665
  5. ID 292517
  6. ID 292419
  7. ID 292418
  8. ID 292240

FAIR MAPS Act Assessment March 31, 2025

  1. Gilroy FAIR MAPS Act Assessment 3.31.25

Communities of Interest Forms & Maps Submitted Prior to 5:00 PM on April 7

  1. Communities of Interest Submitted by April 7

Public Maps Submitted Prior to 10:00 AM on April 14

  1. ID 292725
  2. ID 292752
  3. ID 293380
  1. ID 293648
  2. ID 293651
  3. ID 293684
  1. ID 293705
  2. ID 293873
  3. ID 294311

FAIR MAPS Act Assessment April 15, 2025

  1. Gilroy FAIR MAPS Act Assessment 4.15.25

Public Maps Submitted Prior to 10:00 AM on April 28

  1. ID 294590
  1. ID 295615
  1. ID 296092

FAIR MAPS Act Assessment April 28, 2025

  1. Gilroy FAIR MAPS Act Assessment 4.28.25

Draft Maps

Final Draft Maps Considered at the Sixth Public Hearing on May 19, 2025

  1. What is districting?
  2. Why does districting matter?
  3. What is the criteria for shaping districts?
  4. What are Communities of Interest?
  5. Once district elections are adopted, will all seven City Council members be elected at the same time?
  6. What criteria will be used to decide which two districts will hold elections first?
  7. Can a candidate run for election in a district if they do not live within its boundaries?
  8. What happens if there is only one candidate or no candidates running for a City Council seat in a district?
  9. Are district boundaries permanent?
  10. Why four majority-minority districts instead of three?
View All FAQs