2022 VOTER GUIDE
Term limits
Four of the city’s initial 10-1 representatives have reached their term limits and are not seeking reelection. Austin’s mayor and City Council members can serve two consecutive four-year terms.
continue to address the big challenges head-on, even when they’re hard to deal with,” he said. “But then I also get the sentiment that, after having done that for eight years, there’s some in the community that want to rest for just a moment or two.” Andy Hogue, communications director for the Travis County Repub- lican Party, said the current council has performed “terribly” in areas ranging from public safety to bud- geting. This year, he said Austin’s typically left-leaning council could welcome more conservative voices based on responses to its current members. “We really think this is a good chance for voters to stand up and demand change,” he said. Katie Naranjo, the Travis County Democratic Party chair, credited the current council for its accomplish- ments amid di cult conditions. She also said she expects this year’s con- tests to be won on more substantive local issues. “In every one of the council races up right now, you’ll see a Democrat elected to those positions,” she said. One thing most observers and most candidates agree one is the importance of addressing housing. Adler has repeatedly called housing a ordability the “existential crisis” facing Austin. “I think the big issue that’s going to play out over and over and over is going to be a ordability, a ordabil- ity, a ordability,” Pedigo said. “Peo- ple are cutting and slicing and dicing at it in di erent ways, but that is the issue.”
Prior terms
Term limit
Races on the ballot
Running in current election
Steve Adler Mayor
Austin’s next mayor will serve through 2024 , while ve council members will serve through 2026.
District 1 Natasha Harper- Madison
District 3 Sabino "Pio" Renteria
District 5 Ann Kitchen District 8 Paige Ellis District 9 Kathie Tovo
Kathie Tovo was elected and served a rst term prior to the 10-1 council system and current term limits.
2011
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021
2023
2025
2027
Voter engagement Austin City Council elections have seen much higher voter turnout since moving to November at the start of the 10-1 system.
Voter turnout
*FIRST ELECTION FOR 10 1 COUNCIL SYSTEM
May 12, 2012
Nov. 4, 2014*
Nov. 8, 2016
Nov. 6, 2018 Nov. 3, 2020
10.7%
40.4% 64.56%
60.84%
70.89%
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN COMMUNITY IMPACT
Policy priorities The current council has pushed its share of controversial policies, many of which have not lasted. A 2018 update to paid sick leave policy was struck down in court; the 2019 repeal of a public camping ban was overturned by city voters; 2020’s removal of tens of millions of dollars from the police department budget
And Smith said the new council will have to continue balancing what will likely remain more progressive goals in a conservative state. Adler said he is proud of pushing for more sweeping and “disruptive” change even when unpopular politi- cally and hopes the new council can continue to do that. “I hope that the successive councils
was undone by state legislation; and a nearly decade-long process to revamp the city’s land development code died at the nish line following a lawsuit from city property owners. Pedigo said council’s approach on past issues, along with a lack of clearly de nable progress on top issues, may leave voters questioning this council’s success and direction.
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
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