Light political advertising activity in 2017

posted on 2.14.2017

After a lackluster 2016 political advertising year in Texas, broadcast stations will see another quiet political season in 2017 marked by little political commercial activity.

That’s because odd-year elections in Texas feature races for city offices and school boards in the spring and constitutional amendment elections in the fall.

There are no primaries for the local elections and because of it, the FCC-mandated political windows are of the longer 60-day variety.

City and school board elections generally take place in early May but some municipalities are using the November General Election date instead.

The November election will feature any constitutional amendments approved by lawmakers for a public vote.

The political dates for 2017 are:

• Tuesday, March 7 - FCC political window opens for May 6 Municipal/School Board Election
• Thursday, April 6 - Last day to register to vote for May 6 Municipal / School Board election
• Monday, April 24 - Early voting begins for May 6 Municipal / School Board Election
• Tuesday, May 2 - Early voting ends for May 6 Municipal / School Board Election
• Saturday, May 6 - Municipal / School Board Election  

Lawmakers have filed a couple of bills in the 85^th Texas Legislature that could impact future election dates.

Study: Municipal/School Board Election Date
HB 365 by Rep. Drew Springer, R- Muenster

This measure would require the Secretary of State's office to conduct a study on establishing a single election date in Texas in November rather than separate uniform and general election dates.

Currently, municipalities and school boards can use the existing May Uniform Election Date or the General Election Date for elections.

Several larger cities such as Houston use the November date. 

The study would seek out the experience of other states that have made the change.

Municipal/School Board Election Date
HB 1271 by Rep. Mike Lang, R-Granbury

This bill would do away with the May Uniform Election date and require cities and school boards to instead use the November General Election date in even-numbered years and a March date in odd-numbered years.

Municipal/School Board Election Date
SB 173 by Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels

This bill would do away with the May Uniform Election date and require cities and school boards to instead use the November General Election date.

TAB will inform stations if any of the current Texas election dates change as a result of legislative action this year.

Stations should also stay tuned for a list of any proposed constitutional amendments up for vote on the November General Election date.

Questions? Contact TAB's Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.

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