Elections

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

1. Regular Meeting Requirements: 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 River Authority, 100 E. Guenther Street, in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Meetings are typically two to three hours in length. The Board may hold regular meetings at other locations and times if so ordered by the Board. In addition, the Board may establish additional committees and/or task forces to assist the Board by a majority vote of the Board. All members of the Board may serve on one or more Board committees and/or task forces. All Board Regular meetings are conducted in conformance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.
2. Training Requirements: A person who is elected or appointed as a member of the Board may not vote, deliberate or be counted as a Board member until the person completes a training program in compliance with Section 13-a of the enabling act. The training program includes but is not limited to information on:
   1. – Laws governing the River Authority’s operations as well as those laws applicable to Board members; 
   2. – Programs, functions, rules, and budget of the River Authority;
   3. – Scope of and limitations on the rulemaking authority of the Board;
   4. – Results of the most recent formal audit of the River Authority;
   5. – Open Meetings Act: 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
   6. – Public Information Act: 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, text messages, meetings and minutes, as well as election filling information).
3. Financial Disclosure Requirements: 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. 

4. Ethics: River Authority Board members are subject to rules of ethics (Section 19) including disclosure of conflicts of interest.

Board of Director Positions up for Election

• Bexar County:
  • Place 2, At large
  • District 1
  • District 2
• Goliad County, At large
• Karnes County, At Large
• Wilson County, At Large

Term

Directors serve staggered four-year terms. An elected director ’s term begins January 1^st following the date of the director ’s election.

Qualifications

A director must: 

1. Be at least 21 years of age; 
2. Reside within the River Authority’s jurisdiction and specifically reside in the county or single-member district from which the director is elected or appointed (Proof of residency is required); 
3. Possess the qualifications of a juror including being a U.S. citizen and qualified to vote in the county, and not convicted of a felony nor mentally incapacitated;  
4. Submit a complete application by mail or in person to the San Antonio River Authority headquarters at 100 E. Guenther, San Antonio, TX 78204 during business hours by or before the deadline on August 18 at 5:00 p.m. Application must be notarized and include proof of residence; and  
5. Submit a filling fee of $100.00 or a petition signed by not less than 100 qualified voters residing in the county or district in which they are filling.  

Payment Methods accepted: 

• Cash 
• Personal Check 
• Money Order  

NOTE: Credit cards are not accepted.  

Proof of Residency:  

At least one of the following residency documents with an address matching the candidate’s address on their Application for a Place on the Ballot: 

• Valid Texas Driver’s License or Identification Card 
• Valid Bexar County Voter Registration Certificate 
• Passport 
• Current utility bill 
• Most recent government check or paycheck 
• Most recent government document with name and address (original to be presented if it has a photograph) 

Candidate Application & Forms   

• Checklist  
• Application  
• Campaign Treasurer Appointment Form
  •  CTA Instructions 
  • If you need to amend this form use the ACTA Form
  • ACTA instruction  
• Code of Fair Campaign Practices 
  • Chapter 258
• Petition In Lieu of Filling Fee 
• Declaration of Write-In Candidacy 
• Correction Affidavit  
• Political Advertising Guide 

Campaign Finance Reports

The State of Texas requires candidates and officeholders to submit Campaign Finance Reports. Reports are due by close of business on Monday October 6, 2025 and Monday October 27, 2025 to the San Antonio River Authority.  

• Campaign Finance Report  
• Campaign Finance Guide, Deadlines 
• Campaign Finance Report Instructions  
• Please refer to Texas Ethics Commission Regulating Political Funds and Campaigns (Title 15) 
• Report of Unexpended Contributions
• Report of Unexpended Contribution Instructions 

NOTE: Before raising or spending campaign funds, you must file a Campaign Treasurer Appointment with the River Authority. See above for the form. 

Ballot Order Drawing for Candidates

The order of placing of the names of candidates on the official ballot for each county shall be determined by lot. The drawing of lots for the order of placing of the names of candidates on the official ballot for each county shall be made by the Secretary of the Board of Directors or his or her designee at 100 E. Guenther, San Antonio, TX 78204 on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.  

All candidates or their designated representatives may be present at such drawing. Candidates are not required to be present.  

Application Received as of Filling Deadline (to be updated) 

• Application Checklist
• Application for place on ballot