Just 5.8% of registered voters turned out for early polling in San Antonio’s mayoral election

Despite the current contest being the first wide-open mayoral race since 2009, just over 74,000 people — or 5.8% of the country’s registered voters — went to the polls April 22-29. In contrast, 10% of registered voters turned out for early voting during the 2023 mayoral election, a race that received far less media attention.

Those who missed this cycle’s early voting period can still cast a ballot at one of 250 polling stations open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, May 3.

The low turnout appears to validate a prediction from longtime political consultant Kelton Morgan. Morgan last week told the Current that Fiesta, fatigue from the November election and a lack of controversial charter amendments were likely to keep many potential voters at home.

“Part of it is also the crowded field,” added Morgan, who ran two campaigns for termed-out Mayor Ron Nirenberg and is consulting on Beto Altamirano’s current mayoral campaign. “There’s definitely a sense of waiting for the runoff to see what happens.”

The runoff, which is all but certain due to the sheer number of candidates, will be held Saturday, June 7.

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This article appears in Apr 30 – May 13, 2025.