Overview
- City Council will discuss the change at a Wednesday B session, with Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones leading the effort after noting Dallas and Houston have already shifted to November cycles.
- Turnout in San Antonio was about 9% for May’s municipal election versus roughly 20% in November, and the mayor argues Fiesta crowds depress participation in spring contests.
- Jones is backed by former Mayor Ron Nirenberg and several civic groups, though some council members are seeking resident input and details on impacts to school district election timing.
- State Senate Bill 1494 permits cities to move to the November uniform date in odd-numbered years if they act by Dec. 31, 2026, and the first November city election here would be in 2029.
- The mayor has said she expects a Dec. 18 vote, while KSAT reports a vote has not yet been scheduled, and staff plan to present cost analyses at the Dec. 10 session.