Voting Districts in San Antonio 2023
The history of voting districts in the city of San Antonio
and Bexar County, Texas can be traced back to the period of Reconstruction following the Civil War. In 1869, the Texas legislature passed a law requiring counties with a population of over 30,000 to establish election precincts and appoint election judges and clerks. Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, met this population threshold and was required to establish voting districts.
The first voting district in Bexar County was established in 1870, with San Antonio divided into three wards. Each ward elected one alderman to the city council, and these aldermen in turn appointed a mayor from among themselves. This system of government remained in place until 1914 when the city adopted a new charter that established a commission form of government.
Under the commission form of government, the city was divided into five commissioner districts, with each district electing a commissioner to serve on the city commission. The mayor was also elected at large. This system remained in place until 1951 when the city adopted a new charter that established a council-manager form of government.
Under the council-manager form of government, the city is divided into 10 council districts, with each district electing a council member to serve on the city council. The mayor is also elected at large. The boundaries of these council districts are redrawn every 10 years based on the results of the U.S. Census. The most recent redistricting took place in 2021.
The boundaries of the voting districts in Bexar County for state and federal elections are also redrawn every 10 years based on the results of the U.S. Census. The most recent redistricting took place in 2021.
Links to the City of San Antonio
District 8 City Council Candidates 2023
https://dailysanantonionews.com/2023/02/22/candidacy-for-san-antonio-city-council-district-8