The last day for candidates to submit their registration papers for the November municipal elections is August 9.
On August 7, two of the three incumbent Gilroy City Council members – Zach Hilton and Fred Tovar – whose terms expire this year, announced their candidacy for re-election on November 5.
Mayor Marie Blankley has also begun her re-election campaign. Gilroy resident Greg Bozzo has also announced to the public that he is running for mayor in the general election in November.
According to an unofficial list of candidates released by the Santa Clara County Elections Office, political newcomer Kelly Ramirez has filed her candidacy for one of the three City Council seats up for election. Ramirez is listed on the Elections Office’s list as “commissioner/retired teacher.”
Councilwoman Rebeca Armendariz’s term also ends this year, but she has not announced whether she will run for re-election.
Three seats on the seven-member Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education are also on the Nov. 5 ballot. They include Trustee Area 2, whose incumbent is Mark Good; Trustee Area 5, whose incumbent is James E. Pace; and Trustee Area 6, whose incumbent is Melissa Nicholson Aguirre.
So far, according to the ROV’s unofficial list, only one candidate – Kenny Moreno – has filed for one of the GUSD seats (as of August 6). Moreno is listed as a “parent/business owner.”
The nomination period for candidates in the November 5 election began on July 15 and runs through August 9. In races where no incumbent has filed paperwork for re-election, the nomination period may be extended to August 14.
Anyone interested in running for mayor, city council or city treasurer of Gilroy is asked to schedule an appointment with the City Clerk’s office to pick up nomination papers and then proceed with the eligibility determination process. The office of Gilroy’s interim City Clerk Beth Minor is located at 7351 Rosanna Street and can be reached by phone at 408.846.0204.
Also on the November 5 ballot are three seats on the Gavilan College Board of Trustees.
Anyone wishing to run for GUSD Trust Areas 2, 5 or 6, Gavilan Trust Areas 2, 4 or 6, or County Board of Education Trust Areas 1, 3, 4 or 5 should contact the Registrar of Voters’ office to pick up paperwork and receive other assistance. The Registrar of Voters’ Candidate Services Division is located at 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2 in San Jose.
“The filing process for candidates can be overwhelming,” said Matt Moreles, acting election supervisor. “Our Candidate Services team provides the resources and guidance to ensure candidates file their paperwork properly and on time.”
Gilroy voters will also vote on a local measure in their Nov. 5 ballot to approve a quarter-percent sales tax for the city’s public safety.
The November 5 general election, which is expected to see high voter turnout in Santa Clara County and across the country, will focus on the offices of U.S. President, U.S. Senate and U.S. Congress, in addition to dozens of state and local offices.
