The Gavilan Joint Community College District runs Gavilan College in Gilroy. Two of its board areas are on the 2026 ballot.
Trustee Area 3
- Gabriel Gutierrez
- Shahida S. Merchant
The Gilroy Dispatch's filing tracker listed both as Area 3 candidates during the July-August filing period. Ballotpedia lists both as nonpartisan candidates on the November ballot.
Trustee Area 1
Ballotpedia lists Kathy Chávez Napoli as the only candidate for Area 1.
Other South County races
South County ballots also include Gilroy Unified Trustee Areas 3 and 4, and Valley Water District 1, where John L. Varela faces Jimmy Forbis.
This explainer summarizes the candidates' own statements and published reporting. It does not endorse anyone.
How to vote
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.