Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones proposes new commission to increase voter turnout in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones announced plans on Friday to introduce a new commission to increase voter participation citywide.

In a news conference outside City Hall, Jones said the nonpartisan commission will be “solely focused” on increasing voter turnout across San Antonio.

“I look forward to working with City Council on the implementing ordinance and ensuring San Antonio residents are heard at the ballot box,” she said.

Jones stated that the change in San Antonio’s municipal elections from May to November will assist the commission.

“A move that will save our city money and increase turnout,” Jones said, in part. “But we must do more to protect ourselves.”

Should the commission be approved by the city council, it would comprise three mayoral appointees and one from each council district.

“The responsibility to achieve a more perfect union does not fall on the shoulders of a few but on the collective consciousness of us all,” the mayor said.

It is not clear when the council would take up the proposition; however, Jones hopes the commission would be in place by April 3, 2026, a news release stated.

Early voting in Bexar County concludes Friday, Feb. 27, ahead of the March 3 primary election.

The press conference preceded a council special session regarding a possible censure vote for Jones over a confrontation with District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur earlier this month.

Read more:

• ‘I should not have raised my voice’: Mayor Jones addresses complaint ahead of City Council censure vote