Could Saturday's voting mark the final election event in May for Texas?

Going Forward with Texas Elections: A Push for Consolidation

LUFKIN - The Lone Star State might be bidding adieu to its municipal election madness, typically held in May. An iconic community of around 600 residents in East Texas, Lovelady, is gearing up for their last municipal election, and they're planning a shrimp feast to boost participation.

Cynthia Lum, the vibrant Houston County elections administrator managing Lovelady's voting this year, is keen on the shrimp boil to draw more residents to the polls. Last time they managed their elections alone, they only had two voters. With our help, they've already tripled their numbers, she says.

Lackluster participation in municipal elections, which usually take place the first Saturday in May, is nothing new. And this is one reason why Texas lawmakers are contemplating the end of these elections.

Senate Bill 1209, crafted by Mineola Republican Sen. Bryan Hughes, is the proposed solution. This legislation would make most elections happen in November and on Tuesdays, a significant shift from the current practice.

However, primaries, runoffs, and special elections still have some wiggle room. The change aims to save money and shore up voter participation.

In November 2022, approximately 44% of registered Dallas County voters took part in the election, but that number dropped to a mere 9% the following May. "People don't pay attention to local elections, and in May, they generally are local elections," observes Joyce LeBombard, president of the League of Women Voters in Texas.

Numerous small Texas towns, similar to Lovelady, aren't likely to see more than a dozen voters in the upcoming elections. Lum emphasizes that the legislation would ease the burden on smaller counties and cities, who currently have to hold multiple elections annually, thus enabling them to save taxpayers’ money.

The cost of holding an election in Texas isn't a small sum. Houston County, for instance, predicts the Lovelady election might set them back up to $15,000 – this covers wages for election workers, voting machines, and other vital supplies. While large counties might see costs soar into the millions, such as the staggering $3.1 million Dallas County spent on the 2021 May election.

With elections moved to November, more counties, cities, and schools can divide the costs, making a valuable difference in smaller communities. "Let's say it costs $8,000 to run one precinct, that $8,000 could be divided between the school, the city, and possibly the hospital district," says Lum, creating a more economical scenario for all parties.

However, there are potential disadvantages to the proposed change. Large counties worry the change might create lengthy ballots, leading to extended waiting times for voters. Jennifer Doinoff voiced these concerns during the State Affairs Committee hearing, speaking on behalf of both large and small counties for the Texas Association of County Election Officials.

Another concern is that moving all jurisdictions to the May ballot could increase the number of December runoffs, resulting in low turnout in these elections, Doinoff added. Smaller counties, on the other hand, generally support the bill, as they often struggle to manage multiple elections simultaneously.

Large counties with borders spanning two counties face difficulties in determining where voters cast their ballots. Additionally, it could complicate the timeline for bond issues, impacting school districts who typically seek bonds during May elections to ensure work begins by the following school year.

Various opponents of the legislation argue that it takes local control away and creates unnecessary financial and logistical hurdles. Christopher Smith, the chief financial officer for Katy Independent School District, spoke against this bill at the March 20 committee meeting.

Movement of school elections to November could cost school board candidates and supporters advertising more money amid national politics, Smith added, speaking on behalf of the Fast Growth Schools Coalition.

Common Cause Texas, a non-profit voting advocacy group, is amongst the bill's detractors. Emily French, the group's policy director, expresses concern that prohibiting Saturday elections could disenfranchise people who have to work on Tuesdays.

In contrast, LeBombard, the League of Women Voters leader, is optimistic and predicts increased turnout. "There will be more items in the election for voters to think about and for people to talk about," she says, "so it will likely get more coverage than if it's just a municipal water district having an election."

The State of Texas might discontinue its traditionally held municipal elections in May, as lawmakers consider the end of these elections due to low voter participation.
An upcoming city in Texas, Lovelady, plans to host a shrimp feast in an attempt to attract more residents to their municipal elections, which they are planning to conduct for the last time.
Senate Bill 1209, proposed by Mineola Republican Sen. Bryan Hughes, suggests shifting most elections to November and Tuesdays, a significant change from the current practice, with the goal of saving money and increasing voter participation.
The League of Women Voters in Texas, led by Joyce LeBombard, anticipates greater election coverage and increased turnout if the elections move to November.
However, opposition to the proposed change includes concerns from large counties about extended voting times due to lengthy ballots, increased December runoffs, complications for school districts concerning bond issues, and potential disenfranchisement of workers who cannot vote on Tuesdays.