Improving Elections: Panel Discussion

Join Councilman Ron Nirenberg for a panel discussion regarding improving elections in San Antonio.

Ron’s proposal (as reported by Express-News, 5 October 2015):
For decades, voters have gone to the polls less and less in municipal elections, and Councilman Ron Nirenberg wants to change that.

On Monday, he called on the city to move its elections from May in odd-numbered years to November of even-numbered years. That move would align city elections with federal election, which typically drive stronger voter participation.

“Our most precious natural resource is an active and engaged citizen, and each vote cast is an investment in our future,” Nirenberg said in a press release. “Moving municipal elections from May to November is an important step toward greater participation and more significant community input.”

He’s sent letters to state Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, and the city’s standing Charter Commission asking for help. State legislation would be needed to allow San Antonio to change the date of its municipal elections, and the commission would have to recommend a change to the city charter as well. Ultimately, voters would have to pass a charter amendment to make Nirenberg’s vision a reality.

And it’s something that wouldn’t happen for a couple years. Voters amended the city charter in May, and changes can only be made every two years. So it’s likely that the issue wouldn’t go before voters until some time in 2017 — possibly November.