Gilroy expands districting process with public workshops

Gilroy is taking steps to change how its local elections work. The city will hold public workshops to gather input from residents about creating voting districts. Officials decided to keep the mayor directly elected by all Gilroy residents. Mayor Greg Bozzo emphasized the need for public participation. He stated that the current system, which did not allow for real-time questions, needed improvement. This decision follows legal pressure to switch to district-based elections. In February, the city council voted to start the districting process. This move was prompted by a letter warning of legal action under California's Voting Rights Act. If the city does not establish districts, it could face lawsuits that could be very expensive. The council must complete the districting process by May 27. This includes holding at least five public hearings. The first hearing took place on March 3, where many residents expressed a desire for a more interactive format. Residents are requesting that all materials, including workshops, be available in Spanish. The council agreed to hold two workshops at South Valley Middle School on March 25 and Christopher High School on March 29. Both workshops will include Spanish translation. During the council meeting, members discussed the structure of the districts. They voted on keeping a mayor elected by all voters and creating six districts for council members. This decision received unanimous support, with Mayor Bozzo abstaining. More details on the districting process and how to participate are available on the city’s website.