12.9.25 – A Call for November Municipal Elections in San Antonio

As an organization that advances Filipino and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) civic action through voter registration and educational programs, we are no strangers to implementing creative strategies that target low-propensity voters, such as our own members and families. Over the past decade, we have contacted and knocked on thousands of doors to galvanize Filipino and AAPI voters around mid-term and general elections. Our experiences on the ground reflect the literature—that despite our strongest field efforts, structural changes matter. Numerous studies support that local elections held in November more than double voter turnout rates, offering a much more robust and representative cross-section of the electorate (Berry, 2024).

The data reinforces the importance of the timeless organizing principle of meeting people where they are. Arguing in favor of the 7.8% turnout rate—as a defense of the status quo—from this past May seems an exercise in futility. By contrast, the record-breaking and historic turnout levels that last month delivers speaks for itself. These results mirror national data, which consistently shows that elections held in November increase overall participation, and by virtue, the representation of the city’s electorate.

We believe Mayor Jones’ proposal to move the City of San Antonio’s municipal elections to November meets the people where they are. Our democracy is the healthiest when voters are afforded every opportunity to fully participate.

We believe the City of San Antonio has an incredible opportunity to implement a proven model that promotes voter participation and greater representation of the electorate. These changes would not only support cost-savings for the city, but would also align San Antonio with Dallas and Houston—and several other large American cities who have adopted similar measures.

We urge the Mayor and City Council to take swift and decisive action to approve this proposal before December 31, 2025.

Since 2015, LEAD Filipino has organized for the civic engagement, health equity, and grassroots leadership development of Filipino and broader Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Through providing civic leadership programs, culturally responsive health services, and building coalitions that promote inclusion, equity, and justice, the organization seeks to help empower individuals, families, and communities to engage in direct civic action.