Government
San Antonio moves city elections from May to November
In an effort to increase voter turnout for munic- ipal elections, the San Antonio City Council voted to move city elections from May to November of odd-numbered years Dec. 18. The overview Prior to the vote, city elections have been held in May of odd-numbered years, but, due to a change to the Texas Election Code during the 89th legislative session, cities can change their election date to November of odd-numbered years through passing an ordinance. The ordi- nance supersedes the city charter provision that requires a different general election date. Moving the election date from May to Novem- ber will extend the current City Council’s terms by six months. City Council cannot change the deadline back to May without legislative author- ity. Proponents of moving the election to Novem- ber also highlighted the roughly $800,000-$1 million in savings to San Antonio taxpayers.
District 9 council member Misty Spears said the new date is an incremental change in the right direction and would produce a more engaged voter turnout. “Moving elections from May to November puts municipal races in a time of year when voters are engaged, already informed and are in the habit of showing up,” Spears said. District 10 council member Marc Whyte spoke in opposition to the change. “[By approving the ordinance] we would all be, without any voter participation, giving ourselves six more months in office ... I think that is going to further the distrust in the voting process,” Whyte said. Looking ahead The COSA Department of Communications and Engagement team will prepare a public awareness plan to implement ahead of the 2029 election.
Historical voter turnout in Bexar County June 10, 2017: COSA runoff election May 6, 2017: General election Nov. 3, 2020: General election Nov. 7, 2023: General election June 10, 2023: COSA runoff election May 6, 2023: General election Nov. 5, 2024: General, charter election June 7, 2025: COSA runoff election 99,252 116,222 140,027 15,903 161,712 143,164
773,796
763,198
May 3, 2025: Joint general special and bond election Nov. 4, 2025: General election
116,604
248,700
SOURCE: BEXAR COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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