URGENT UPDATE: San Antonio’s city council is set to make a critical decision today that could reshape the future of local elections. At 9 a.m. today, council members, led by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, will vote on whether to move elections for mayor and city council representatives from May to November in odd-numbered years.
This pivotal meeting comes as a response to a recent change in state law aimed at facilitating election date shifts for cities like Dallas, now offering San Antonio the same opportunity without altering its city charter. However, action must be taken by December 31 for this change to take effect.
The mayor has expressed support for the proposed shift, citing potential benefits, including increased voter turnout and significant cost savings. City officials estimate that the change could save between $800,000 and $1 million in election expenditures.
Adding to the urgency, Mayor Jones will hold a news conference at 8 a.m. on the steps of City Hall, where she is expected to discuss the implications of this decision alongside civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers.
As the council meeting approaches, residents and officials alike are poised for what could be a transformative moment in how San Antonio engages with its electoral process. KSAT will livestream both the news conference at 8 a.m. and the city council meeting at 9 a.m., ensuring that citizens can follow these significant developments in real-time.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds throughout the day. This decision could have lasting impacts on civic engagement and financial management in San Antonio—issues that resonate deeply with the community.
