Gilroy council selects Map F for district elections, sets sequencing and 30‑day residency rule

The Gilroy City Council on May 19 selected “Map F” as the city’s district map to replace at-large elections and set the sequence for the first district elections, voting 7‑0 to advance the ordinance that will put the new system into effect.

The council also decided that Districts 4, 5 and 6 will be the three districts on the ballot in November 2026 and adopted a 30‑day residency requirement for candidates seeking a district seat. The residency rule passed 5‑2. The council then voted 7‑0 to introduce an ordinance (read by title) that will formalize district elections and the sequencing the council approved.

Map selection and why it matters

Liz (staff member) presented two final draft maps — “Draft D” and “Draft F” — showing their population deviations and how they split neighborhoods. Draft D had a total deviation of about 7.5 percent and was drawn to keep many East‑side neighborhoods intact, while Draft F had a 9.9 percent deviation (under the 10 percent threshold the city used) and split some eastern neighborhoods while creating what staff said would still be four majority‑Latino citizen‑voting‑age districts. Liz told the council the maps used recognizable lines such as Hecker Pass and Monterey Road when possible.

Councilmember Klein moved to select Map F; Councilmember Fugazi seconded. The motion passed 7‑0.

The council heard extensive public testimony during the hearing. Supporters of Map D — including several East‑side residents and community advocates — argued the East Side is a distinct “community of interest” that should remain whole so residents there have an unbroken voice on the council. For example, Kathy Chavez Napoli, an East Side resident, urged the council to “support D because that preserves communities of interest,” and other speakers likewise asked the council to keep neighborhoods intact. Other speakers and a larger number of email submissions favored Map F, saying the map would provide broader representation and competitive districts.

Public input and outreach

Staff reported the city received dozens of written submissions during the map process: about 20 emails in support of Draft D and 44 in support of Draft F (staff noted a last‑minute email increased the Draft D count by one). The council held multiple public meetings and received roughly 14 speakers during the final hearing on May 19.

Sequencing and residency requirement

After selecting Map F, the council voted 7‑0 to put Districts 4, 5 and 6 on the 2026 ballot so the city begins staggered elections as required under the districting plan. The motion to sequence those three districts first was moved by Councilmember Bracco and seconded by Councilmember Fugazi.

The council also considered whether candidates must have lived in a district for a period of time before filing nomination papers. Under California law the city may require a short residency period (up to 30 days) before nomination. The council voted 5‑2 to adopt the maximum 30‑day residency requirement for candidates seeking a district seat (the meeting record does not identify the original motion maker on that item).

Ordinance introduction and next steps

Following the map selection and sequencing votes the council directed staff to finalize an ordinance implementing district elections, including the selected map, sequencing and the residency requirement. The council voted 7‑0 to read the ordinance title and introduce it at the meeting; staff said the ordinance would be redrafted slightly to reflect the council’s tentative votes and returned with the final language for adoption.

Why this matters locally

The move to district elections follows a multi‑month public process and aims to change how Gilroy’s residents are represented on council by replacing at‑large elections with six single‑member districts. Supporters said the change will give neighborhoods that have been historically underrepresented a clearer path to electing council members; opponents and some commenters asked the council to preserve contiguous East‑side neighborhoods in a single district.

Votes at a glance

- Select Map F as the final district map: motion by Councilmember Klein, second by Councilmember Fugazi — passed 7‑0. - Sequence Districts 4, 5 and 6 to be on the 2026 ballot: motion by Councilmember Bracco, second by Councilmember Fugazi — passed 7‑0. - Residency requirement for district candidates set at 30 days prior to filing: motion and second not specified in the minutes — passed 5‑2. - Ordinance establishing district elections (title read and ordinance introduced; staff to revise text to match council votes): passed 7‑0 on introduction; final adoption to follow after ordinance text is updated.

What the council directed staff to do next

Staff was instructed to prepare the ordinance language consistent with the council’s votes, carry the adopted sequencing and residency rule into the ordinance, and return the finalized ordinance and implementation schedule for final action. Staff also reminded the council selecting a final map precedes sequencing and other implementation steps (voter outreach, candidate information, and administrative updates), and that the city will hold the first district elections as scheduled in the ordinance and state election law.

Community reactions and legal context

Speakers and written comments reflected differing views on how neighborhoods should be grouped. Several community members explicitly referenced legal risk under the California Voting Rights Act and urged the council to choose a map that provided effective representation; others emphasized competitiveness and the benefits of two representatives for portions of the East Side. Staff indicated both draft maps would create four majority‑Latino CVAP (citizen voting age population) districts under the data used for mapping.

The council’s formal ordinance introduction begins the final drafting and legal review; staff and the city attorney said they would return updated ordinance text for the council to adopt at a subsequent meeting.

Ending

Councilmembers thanked staff, the demography consultant and dozens of community members who submitted maps, attended outreach sessions and testified. With the council’s 7‑0 selection of Map F and the 30‑day residency rule in place, Gilroy has taken the next step toward district‑based council elections; staff will return the final ordinance and implementation schedule for final adoption and administration of the first district elections.