DATE: December 16, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Attorney
City Clerk
SUBJECT
Title
Hayward Municipal Code Update: Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Sections 2-13.02, 2-13.04 and 2-13.06 of Article 13 of Chapter 2 of the Hayward Municipal Code Relating to Revised Voluntary Campaign Expenditure and Contribution Limits
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the City Council introduces the attached ordinance (Attachment II) amending Sections 2-13.02, 2-13.04 and 2-13.06 of Article 13 of Chapter 2 of the Hayward Municipal Code to revise the voluntary campaign expenditure and contribution limits for candidates for City Council, not including the Mayor.
End
SUMMARY
In 2024, the City initiated a detailed and lengthy process to convert its at-large elections for the six members of the City Council to district elections. The office of Mayor remains at large. Conversion to City Council districts is staggered, with Districts 1 and 6 up in November 2026, and Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5 up in November 2028. Hayward’s population is 162,500, as presented during the district conversion process and based on the 2020 census. There are approximately 27,000 residents in each of the six districts.
The proposed ordinance will revise the voluntary campaign expenditure and contribution limits for Council Member candidates in light of the conversion to district-based elections. The voluntary expenditure limit is proposed to be set at $50,000 with the voluntary contribution limit set at $1,500. The office of Mayor will not be affected by the proposed revisions. The revisions will apply to candidates running during the 2026 election cycle.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Ordinance