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 an ordinance passed no later than Dec. 31, 2025. The ordinance supersedes the city charter provision that requires a different general election date.
Moving the election date from May to November will extend the current City Council’s terms by six months. City Council will not be able to change the deadline back to May without legislative authority. Additionally, proponents of moving the election to November also highlighted the roughly $800,000-$1 million in savings to the San Antonio taxpayers the changed date would net.
“For me, I believe in a democracy that communicates with our community, especially when it comes to something that will have an impact, not might have an impact. It will have an impact on our voting rights,” Gonzalez said.
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, arguing that this would allow the sitting council to vote on the fiscal year 2029-30 budget, which they were not appointed to vote on.
“If this council were to move forward on this today, 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.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said that the data proved that the November elections netted a larger turnout.
“At the end of the day, this is bigger than any one person and any one election. This is about our community, and our government and our democracy works best when we hear from the most people,” Jones said.
The council was evenly split with District 2 council member Jalen McKee Rodriguez, District 3 council member Phyllis Viagran, District 4 council member Edward Mungia, District 6 council member Ric Galvan and Spears voting in favor. District 1 council member Sukh Kaur, District 5 council member Teri Castillo, District 7 council member Marina Alderete-Gavito, Gonzalez and Whyte voted against. Jones cast the deciding vote in favor of the change.
The background
According to city documents, the issue of moving the City Council election from May to November was first discussed during a Dec. 10 council meeting.
Senate Bill 1494 was passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor during the 89th legislative session, and amends Texas Election Code Section 41.0052. This amendment allows cities that hold their general election for officers, or City Council members, on a date other than the November uniform election date to alter the election date to November of odd-numbered years, city documents state.
Looking ahead
The Department of Communications & Engagement team will prepare a public awareness plan to implement ahead of the 2029 election.
