Were Last Weekend’s Municipal/School Board Elections the Last in May

If the Texas Legislature and Gov. Greg Abbott approve a bill moving through the Capitol, the municipal and school board elections last weekend will be the last ones held in May.

SB 1209 by Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, would do away with the May uniform election date and require all elections, other than primaries, primary runoffs, and special elections, to be held on the general election date in November.

The bill passed the Texas Senate in a vote largely along party lines on April 8.

SB 1209 is in the House Elections Committee awaiting a hearing.

The bill must make a House calendar by May 25, or it will die in House committee.

The May municipal and school board elections typically see the lowest turnout of any Texas elections.

Some cities, such as Houston, have already moved their municipal election to the November general election day.

Those backing SB 1209 say the move of city and school board elections to November will save money and resources by allowing counties, cities, and schools to split the cost.

The transition to November also could potentially generate higher voter turnout for city and school contests.

The proposed move is not without its detractors.

Some say adding races to the November ballot could make it much longer and potentially lead to longer voter wait times.

Additionally, municipal runoff elections would fall in December during the holiday season and could lead to a low turnout.

For broadcasters, the impact of moving such elections to November would largely depend on market size.

In larger markets, municipal and school board elections occasionally added candidate and bond measure advertising dollars to second quarter income.

That would now shift to the fourth quarter.

Additional races on the November ballot could also make advertising avails in short supply depending on the election year.

TAB will keep stations informed as to this proposal's progress in the remaining weeks of the 89th Texas Legislature.

Questions? Contact TAB's Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.