Elections & Voter Information

The City of Gilroy is a charter city with a council-administrator form of government. The City Council is comprised of six (6) council members and the mayor, each serving four-year terms. Members of the City Council are elected by district and the Mayor is elected at-large. Elections of the seats are staggered, with elections being held in November of even-numbered years. As of 2025, the City transitioned to By-District elections with 6 Districts. Three (3) council member seats and the mayor are elected during presidential elections, while the other three (3) council member seats are elected during mid-term elections. The City Council selects the vice mayor annually.

Upcoming Elections

2026 General Municipal Election - Tuesday, November 3, 2026

The next election for Districts 4, 5 and 6 will be held on November 3, 2026 and the next election for Districts 1, 2 and 3 and the Mayor will be held on November 7, 2028. Click here to find out which district you reside in. 

Candidate Eligibility Requirements

Residency Requirements

To be eligible to run for the office of Councilmember, a candidate must be a resident and registered voter in the Council District which that person seeks to represent at least thirty (30) days prior to the filing of their nomination papers.  To be eligible to run for the office of Mayor, a candidate must be a resident and registered voter in the City of Gilroy city limits. Registered voters in Gilroy must be U.S. citizens, residents in the Council District that is up for election or a resident of Gilroy city limits, 18 years of age or older on the date of the election, and not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction. 

Declare your Intent to Run

To declare your intent to run and begin fundraising, an FPPC Form 501 must be filed with the City Clerk’s Office. An original wet signature or digital signature meeting FPPC requirements is acceptable.

Form a Campaign Committee

If you plan to raise or spend more than $2,000, an FPPC Form 410 must be filed within 10 days of receiving $2,000 or more in contributions. The original must be mailed to the Secretary of State, and a copy sent to the City Clerk's office.

Important Note: A candidate is not required to open a campaign committee as long as they do not plan to raise or spend more than $2,000 in an election. See the FPPC’s website for more information.

Nomination Period (Election Code § 10220)

This is the period when individuals may officially be issued nomination papers, circulate them for signatures, and file for candidacy. The Candidate Guidebook will be available in May 2026.

The nomination period opened at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2026, and closed at 5:00 p.m. sharp on Friday, August 7, 2026.

Candidates are required to contact the City Clerk to schedule an appointment to be issued the necessary forms and nomination papers to run for office and a second appointment to file their completed nomination papers and other required documents. 

Additional information about the General Municipal Election, including candidate and voter assistance information, is now available. Please contact the City Clerk's Office if you have questions regarding the upcoming election.

Campaign Disclosures: Public Portal for Campaign Finance Disclosures

Voter Information

Check Your Voter Registration Status - Party Registration Errors Through the DMV

Voters wishing to check their registration status may do so online under the “Register to Vote” tab at www.sccvote.org. Re-registration may be completed online at registertovote.ca.gov. Regular registration for the November General Election ends October 19, 2026.

Where to VOTE

Vote Center Locations

Register to Vote

To register to vote in Gilroy, or to update your voter registration address, party affiliation or for a name change, pick up a voter registration card in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, at the Gilroy Library or at the Gilroy Post Office.

Register to vote online through the California Secretary of State's Office online registration portal.

Update your voter registration in Santa Clara Co.

Complete a Voter Action Request Form if you are already registered to vote in Santa Clara County and you want to...

  • Change your address (if you moved within Santa Clara County) or mailing address
  • Change your language preference (English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, and Korean)
  • Change your Permanent Vote by Mail status
  • Correct misspellings or other errors in your registration information
  • Cancel your voter registration
  • Cancel the voter registration of a deceased member of your family or household