Frequently Asked Questions
Municipal Election FAQs
In the May 2025 election, San Antonio voters will elect the Mayor and their City Council representative. Some voters, based on where they live, will also vote on school board members (also known as trustees) and bond packages.
San Antonio has a council-manager form of government. Voters elect 11 representatives (10 district representatives and 1 mayor), and together the Mayor and City Council appoint a City Manager. While the Mayor and Council make decisions on laws and policies, the City Manager is responsible for carrying out day-to-day operations of the City, providing the Mayor and Council with recommendations, and developing and overseeing a budget (which is approved by City Council each year) that pays for City services.
San Antonio’s Mayor and City Council will hold office for four years (2025 – 2029). Mayor and City Councilmembers are allowed to serve two, four-year terms or no more than eight years total.
The 2025 inauguration of Mayor and City Council, including those who are newly elected, will take place on June 19.
When no candidate receives a majority of the vote in a race, the two candidates receiving the most votes will move on to a second election. This is called a runoff. If there is a runoff election this year, it will take place on June 7, and this website will update with all the information necessary to participate.
If you live in another Bexar County municipality, you may still have candidates or measures on the ballot. While this website focuses on the San Antonio Municipal Election, we want to make sure you have all the tools you need. If your municipality will hold elections on May 7, the important dates remain the same. Here’s a list of other municipalities and links to the respective election departments.
Yes! You can vote in the June runoff even if you didn’t vote in the May election.
Voter Registration FAQs
You can check whether or not you are registered online.
The deadline to register to vote in the municipal election is April 3. To register to vote in Texas, you must complete the voter registration form and mail it to the County elections department or deliver it in person to the Voter Registration Office.
- If you’re registered in Bexar County and have recently moved addresses within Bexar County, you can update your address online. If you have moved from a new county into Bexar County, you must re-register.
- If you have changed your name since you registered but you reside in the same county, you can update your name online. If both your name and county have changed, you can 1) correct your voter registration certificate on the back and mail it to your county’s voter registrar; 2) fill out a new voter registration and check “Change”; 3) change your voter registration when you apply for or change your Texas driver’s license.
- If you have one of the following forms of photo identification, you must present one when you vote in person. The identification can be expired up to four years.
- Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
- Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS
- United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
- United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States passport
- If you do not have one of the above forms of identification, you can present one of the following supporting forms of identification, and the voting official will help you fill out a required declaration.
- Valid voter registration certificate
- Certified birth certificate (must be an original)
- Copy of or original current utility bill
- Copy of or original bank statement
- Copy of or original government check
- Copy of or original paycheck
- Copy of or original government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph)
The address on your identification does not have to match your address on your voter registration information. Additionally, your gender marker and/or your name do not need to match your name on your voter registration information. Election officials will review your identification, and if your name is “substantially similar,” you’ll be allowed to vote (but required to submit an affidavit stating you are the same person on the official list of voters).
In Texas, you’re eligible to vote regardless of a misdemeanor or any other conviction except for a felony. If you have been convicted of a felony, you’re ineligible to vote; however, your voting rights are restored upon completion of your sentence, including parole and probation, or if you have received a pardon. If you still owe fees or fines on your felony conviction, contact the Bexar County Clerk to confirm your eligibility. If you’re incarcerated, or have been charged, but have not been convicted of a felony, you’re still eligible to vote. You can find more information about voting rights with a felony conviction at Campaign Legal.
Voting by Mail FAQs
If you won’t be in Bexar County for Early Voting or Election Day; are 65 years or older; are disabled; expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; or confined in jail but otherwise eligible to vote, you can vote early by mail. To do so, you’ll need to apply for a mail-in ballot.
Applications must be received by April 22. Mail-in ballots must be received by May 3 at 7:00 pm.
First, make sure you’re registered to vote in Bexar County. If you won’t be in the county during early voting (April 22 – April 29) or on Election Day, (Saturday, May 3), then apply for an absentee ballot no later than April 22. The ballot will be mailed to you. It must be completed and returned to Bexar County Elections, who must receive it by May 3 at 7:00 PM.
Good news! You can now track both your mail-in ballot application and the ballot itself.
VIA Metropolitan Transit offers free rides on Election Day! Just show your voter registration card when you board.
General Voting FAQs
If you have any issue standing in line or walking, you are allowed to go to the front of the line and the poll workers will allow you to vote. If you have brought someone with you to help you vote, they will also be allowed to help you and to vote.
If you’re unable to enter the polling location, you can request curbside voting. If you plan to vote alone and need curbside voting, it’s best to call ahead to your polling location.
You are! You can bring a paper copy of the sample ballot and/or written notes to refer to while you vote. You are not allowed to reference your cell phone or any other digital device.
So many things! Voting is just one form of civic engagement and not everyone is eligible to vote. Here are 6 more ways to get involved, during election season and year-round, no matter your voting eligibility status:
- Share this website with your friends, coworkers, family, and social media networks.
- Remind people to vote.
- Drive your friends, coworkers, and family members who are eligible to vote to polling locations.
- Volunteer with or donate to a nonprofit that impacts a cause you care about.
- Blockwalk for candidates whose policy platforms you support. Vote411.org offers more information on candidates.
- Participate in the City of San Antonio’s public comment process for issues you care about.