About - San Antonio River Authority Sign

Elections

The Board of Directors (Board) of the San Antonio River Authority called for an election of five (5) Directors for the November 2, 2021 election. The May 19, 2021 Ordinance ordering the election can be viewed here.

A twelve (12) member Board governs the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority). The Board consists of two at-large members from each of Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad counties, and one member for each of the four River Authority districts in Bexar County, for a total of twelve (12) members.

All Board member terms are for a period of six years with no term limits. All positions are elected except in the case of an unexpected vacancy prior to a term ending, in which case the Governor of the State of Texas appoints a replacement to complete the term. Board terms are staggered with elections held in November of odd numbered years. The River Authority calls its election by ordinance and in accordance with the Texas election code.  Each election is administered through each county’s elections office. When candidates are unopposed, the Texas election code allows for the River Authority to declare by ordinance that the candidates are unopposed and are elected to office.

Application deadline for the November 2, 2021 election is August 16, 2021 at 5:00pm

Board Positions

The five (5)  Board positions included in election on November 2, 2021 are:

  • Bexar County District 3
  • Bexar County District 4
  • Goliad County at large (1 position)
  • Karnes County at large (1 position)
  • Wilson County at large (1 position)
District Maps
San Antonio River Authority Districts
San Antonio River Authority Bexar County Districts
San Antonio River Authority Board Requirements:

The duties of the Members of the Board are described in the River Authority bylaws. Individuals considering running for office for the River Authority Board are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the bylaws. 

  1. Regular Meeting Requirements:

    1. The Board of Directors meets in regular monthly sessions on the third Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. at the principal office of the District, 100 E. Guenther Street, in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Meetings are typically three hours in length. The Board may hold regular meetings at other locations and times if so ordered by the Board.

      All Board Regular meetings are conducted in conformance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.

    2.  

  2. Committee Meeting Requirements:

    1. All members of the Board serve on two (2) Board committees. Committee meetings are typically two (2) hours in length.  At this time the Board committees are the Executive, Fiscal, Communications and Operations Committees. The Board may establish additional committees to assist the Board by a majority vote of the Board. All Board Committee meetings are conducted in conformance with the Texas Open Meetings Act: Visit ARTICLE II pg 4 of the Board of Director bylaws for more detailed information about committee duties.

      Fiscal: Second Monday of each month at 12 p.m. at the principal office of the District in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
      Operations: Second Monday of each month at 2 p.m. at the principal office of the District in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
      Communications: Second Wednesday of each other month at 12 p.m. at the principal office of the District in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
      Executive: Second Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. at the principal office of the District in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

    2.  

  3. Open Meetings Act:
    1. The Board of Directors of the River Authority are subject to the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and are required to participate in educational training pursuant to section 551.005 of the Texas Government Code. The training requirement applies to all elected or appointed officials who participate in meetings subject to the OMA. The law requires that members subject to the OMA complete training within 90 days of taking the oath of office or otherwise assuming the responsibilities of office. To learn more about the Open Meetings Act Training, please visit: texasattorneygeneral.gov
    2.  
  4. Public Information Act:
    1. All information produced by and for the River Authority Board of Directors and staff is subject to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code 552). The public has a right to prompt access to the records of the River Authority that are not confidential or otherwise protected. All communications of River Authority Board members regarding River Authority  business are subject to the Public Information Act (i.e. email, documents, meetings and minutes, as well as election filling information).
    2.  
  5.  Financial Disclosure Requirements:
    1. Every year River Authority Board members are required to file personal financial statements (PFS) with the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) ethics.state.tx.us. Please note this information is subject to the Public Information Act.
    2.  
  6. Ethics:
    1. River Authority Board members are subject to rules of ethics (Section 19).
November 2, 2021 Election Timeline
July 17

First day to file an application for a place on the ballot

Aug 16

Last day to file an application for a place on the ballot

Aug 20

Last day to file a declaration of write-in candidacy 

Notice of the date, hour and place of the drawing to determine places on the ballot posted

Aug 23

Last day for a candidate to withdraw.

Last day for a write-in candidate to withdraw. If a write-in candidate withdraws by this date her name is omitted from the ballot.

Aug 24

Drawing to determine places on the ballot 

Sept 15

If any candidates are unopposed, Board action by ordinance to declare the unopposed candidates elected

Oct 3

Last day to register to vote

Oct 18

First day of early voting

Oct 29

Last day of early voting

Nov 2

Election Day

Nov 17

New board members are sworn in at the November Board of Directors meeting

 

Election Packet Information

Candidates may obtain an election packet in person at the San Antonio River Authority, or by clicking here.  

100 E Guenther St
San Antonio TX, 78204
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for holidays)

Election Packet Content

Application ACTA Instruction Guide Chapter 258 Election Code
Petition in lieu Campaign Finance Guide Title 15
Declarations of Write-In Campaign Finance Report Political Advertising: What You Need to Know
Appointment of a Campaign Treasurer by a Candidate (CTA) Form Correction Affidavit Unexpended Report Form
CTA Instruction Guide Texas Ethics Commission Filing Schedule Unexpended Report Form Instruction Guide
Amendment: Appointment of a Campaign Treasurer by a Candidate (ACTA) Form Code of Fair Campaign Practices  

 

For official candidacy eligibility, the following documents must be received by the San Antonio River Authority no later than 5pm on August 16, 2021:

  • Application
  • $100 Filing Fee or Petition in Lieu
  • Appointment of a Campaign Treasurer by a Candidate (CTA) Form

It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that all documents and payment have been received by the River Authority. Documents must be returned to the River Authority in person during regular business hours Monday‐Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for holidays), or by mail at:

C/O SARA Elections Coordinator
100 E Guenther St
San Antonio TX, 78204

 

Helpful Links
Glossary of Elections Terminology
Secretary of State: Candidate Information
Bexar County Elections Department
Wilson County Elections Department
Karnes County Elections Department
Goliad County Elections Department