Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones proposes moving San Antonio’s city elections to November, aiming to boost voter turnout and save $1 million, pending council approval.
SAN ANTONIO — Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is moving forward with her effort to shift San Antonio’s municipal elections from May to November — a change she says would boost voter turnout and save taxpayers money.
The push follows a new state law signed in June that allows cities to make the switch.
According to data from the City Manager’s Office, Mayor Jones says moving the elections could save up to $1 million. She also argues that November elections historically draw significantly more voters compared to the lower turnout typically seen in May.
To make the change official, the plan needs approval from the San Antonio City Council. The mayor sent a letter to council members last week outlining the proposal, which would need to be approved before the end of the year to take effect.
Several major Texas cities — including Dallas, Austin and Houston — already hold their municipal elections in November. Mayor Jones noted that if San Antonio doesn’t act, it will become the only large Texas city still conducting elections in May during off-years.
City leaders are expected to discuss the proposal on Monday at 1:30 p.m.
KENS 5 will continue to follow this story and provide updates as the plan moves forward.