A shift in the Texas election calendar may be on the horizon, as lawmakers consider Senate Bill 1209, a proposal that could eliminate May municipal and school board elections. If approved by the Texas Legislature and Gov. Greg Abbott, last weekend’s elections would be the final ones held in May.

Introduced by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), SB 1209 aims to consolidate elections, requiring all contests—except for primaries, primary runoffs, and special elections—to take place on the general election date in November. The bill passed the Texas Senate on April 8 in a vote largely along party lines and now awaits a hearing in the House Elections Committee. However, with a deadline of May 25 to make the House calendar, time is running out for the legislation to advance.

Supporters of SB 1209 argue that moving city and school board elections to November would save money and resources, allowing counties, cities, and school districts to split election costs. Additionally, they believe aligning local contests with the general election could increase voter turnout, as May elections traditionally see the lowest participation rates in Texas.

Several major cities, including Houston, have already moved their municipal elections to the November general election date, citing similar financial and turnout advantages.

Despite its potential benefits, SB 1209 faces opposition. Critics argue that adding municipal and school board races to the November ballot could lengthen the voting process and result in longer wait times for voters. Additionally, shifting municipal runoff elections to December, during the holiday season, may further impact turnout and voter engagement.