San Antonio Election Deadlines Arrive as City Council Prepares for Mayor Censure Debate

Critical Mail-In Ballot Deadline Today

San Antonio, TX — Friday, February 20, 2026, marks a pivotal moment for local residents as the deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot for the March 3 primary election arrives. The Bexar County Elections Department has issued a final reminder that all applications must be received in their office by 5:00 p.m. today. This deadline is essential for voters who are unable to visit polling sites in person due to age, disability, or expected absence from the county during the election cycle.

Early Voting and Polling Activity

While election officials process mail-in requests, early voting remains in full swing across the city today. Polling locations, including the Brook Hollow Branch Library, Castle Hills City Hall, and the Claude Black Community Center, are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time. Turnout is reportedly steady as the community weighs in on high-stakes contests, most notably the race for Bexar County Judge, where incumbent Peter Sakai is facing a significant primary challenge from former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg.

City Council Prepares for Historic Censure Session

At City Hall, the political atmosphere is focused on an upcoming special session. While the City Council does not have a formal public voting session scheduled for today, administrative preparations are underway for a special executive session on Monday, February 23. During this meeting, the council is expected to discuss a potential censure of Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. The debate follows a formal complaint filed by District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur regarding a heated dispute over fire safety compliance and occupancy limits at the historic Bonham Exchange nightclub.

If the council moves forward with the censure, it would be a historic first for a modern San Antonio mayor. The rift on the dais comes just months after a narrow 6-5 council vote in December 2025, which approved moving municipal elections from May to November starting in 2029—a move that Mayor Jones strongly supported but several council members opposed.

Continued Focus on East Side ICE Facility

In addition to election preparations, Mayor Jones is maintaining her stance against a proposed 640,000-square-foot federal processing facility on the city’s East Side. In statements this week, the Mayor reiterated concerns that the massive scale of the project could negatively impact local neighborhoods and schools. The city's legal department is continuing to review zoning regulations to determine if the local government can intervene in the federal project. Residents are encouraged to stay informed as these local and regional political developments unfold.

• Ballot by Mail Deadline: 5:00 PM Today
• Early Voting Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Today
• Special Council Session: Monday, February 23