San Antonio’s mayoral race sees voter confusion amid a crowded field, with low turnout concerns as Fiesta concludes near election day.
SAN ANTONIO — With the San Antonio municipal election just three weeks away, some worry that voter fatigue could turn into voter apathy, potentially affecting turnout in the city’s first open mayoral race in eight years.
After a whirlwind of major events — including the Final Four and Fiesta — San Antonians may be running on empty. The May 3 election will feature a crowded field of 27 candidates vying for the mayor’s seat, making it one of the most competitive races in recent memory.
The city’s historically low voter turnout, even in highly competitive races, has experts concerned. Dr. Jon Taylor, Chair of the Political Science and Geography Department at UTSA, notes that voter confusion could complicate the election process.
A voter survey conducted by the UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR) found 20% of voters don’t know who any of the candidates are.
“There’s a lot of unknown factors. 55% of San Antonio voters who were surveyed said they have no idea who they’re gonna vote for,” Taylor said.
Given the uncertainty, Taylor believes lower turnout could benefit candidates who have strong name recognition. He also points out that candidates appearing at the top of the ballot tend to have a slight advantage.
“Ballot placement—whether they’re first or second—also plays a little bit of a role,” he added.
The final ballot placement can be found here.
Some believe one of the biggest challenges facing the election is its proximity to Fiesta, the city’s largest celebration. Fiesta wraps up just one day after the election, leaving some voters less likely to engage in the political process.
“Former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros mentioned the same thing — the idea that why are we doing this so close to Fiesta? Others have said the same thing. The answer is it’s part of Texas code. We have to do it on that day,” said Taylor.
As Election Day nears, expect an increase in targeted campaigning. Voters can expect more mailers, as well as TV and radio ads, as candidates work to break through the noise and make their case to the public.
“There’s a lot of room for candidates right now to start hitting the pavement, kissing the babies, handing out the push cards and trying to get voters to support them,” Taylor said.
The race to the mayor’s office is heating up as the stakes get higher. On Tuesday, the top eight candidates faced off in a heated debate, with each emphasizing their vision for the city’s future.
Jeff Webster, President and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, underscored the significance of the election before the debate began, saying, “Tonight is more than just about politics. It’s about the future of our city.”
Next Tuesday, April 15, Mayor Ron Nirenberg will give his final State of the City address, offering voters one last opportunity to hear from the current mayor as they head to the polls.
For those still undecided, KENS 5 has the full debate on KENS 5+ and Youtube to help voters make an informed decision ahead of the election.