Elections & Campaign Finance

Campaign Finance FAQs

Office

  • Physical Address:
  • 114 W. Commerce
    San Antonio, TX 78205 (Map)

Mailing Address:
Office of the City Clerk
P.O. Box 839966
San Antonio, TX 78283-3966

Phone
210.207.7253

Fax
210.207.7032

Email

Staff

  • Melinda l. Uriegas, TRMCEmail City of San Antonio
    Assistant City Clerk, 210.207.7255
CAMPAIGN FINANCE

We hope that this site is helpful to you. Whether you are interested in running for Municipal Office or just getting general information about the City of San Antonio Municipal Elections, we hope you will find what you need here! If you are unable to find the information you need, have a question, or have a suggestion to improve our website, please contact us.

Physical Address
Office of the City Clerk
1st Floor Municipal Plaza Building
114 W. Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210.207.7253
Fax: 210.207.7032
Mailing Address
Tina J. Flores 
City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
P.O. Box 839966
San Antonio, TX 78283-3966
Campaign Finance - Frequently Asked Questions
Collapse All Expand All
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  When should a Campaign Treasurer be designated?
Campaign Treasurers can be designated at any time.  A Campaign Treasurer Appointment is effective when filed with the Office of the City Clerk.  A hand-delivered appointment takes effect on the date of delivery while a mailed appointment takes effect on the date of the postmark.  

In accordance with Title 15 of the Texas Election Code, Officeholders and Candidates may not accept any campaign contributions or make any campaign expenditures until a Campaign Treasurer has been appointed (Form CTA), including an expenditure from your personal funds. The $100 filing fee paid to the City of San Antonio is considered a campaign expenditure that may not be made before filing a Campaign Treasurer Appointment form.

A Specific-Purpose Political Action Committee may not accept political contributions that total more than $870 without first filing a Campaign Treasurer Appointment (Form STA).  This is a one-time threshold, not an annual threshold. 

Additionally, a Specific-Purpose Political Action Committee may not knowingly make political expenditures that exceed $870 without filing a Campaign Treasurer Appointment

In accordance with Municipal Campaign Finance Regulations, Candidates, Officeholders, and Specific-Purpose Political Action Committees formed to support or oppose Candidates must designate the office being sought on the Campaign Treasurer Appointment Form.  

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  

How do I amend my Campaign Treasurer Appointment and what is the impact of change?

 A Candidate, Officeholder, and Specific-Purpose Committee may change Campaign Treasurers at any time by filing an amended appointment of Campaign Treasurer. Filing an appointment of a new Treasurer automatically terminates the appointment of the old Treasurer upon being filed with the Office of the City Clerk.   

For Specific-Purpose Political Action Committees, a change in Treasurers automatically triggers the filing of a Campaign and Expenditure Report by the out-going Treasurer no later than 10 days after the change.  The Committee may not accept political contributions or make political expenditures during a period when the Committee has no Campaign Treasurer on file.  

If the Campaign Treasurer’s address changes, the Committee must file an amended Campaign Treasurer Appointment not later than 10 days after the change. If there is a change in any other Campaign Treasurer information, the Committee must file an amended Campaign Treasurer Appointment not later than 30 days after the change.

When making changes,Candidates and Officeholder are to use Form ACTA while Specific-Purpose Political Action Committees use Form ASTA


 

 


Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What if I already have a Campaign Treasurer Appointment on file with another filing authority?

A Candidate of Officeholder should only have one Campaign Treasurer Appointment on file regardless of the office being sought.  If a Candidate or Officeholder has a Campaign Treasurer Appointment on file with the Office of the City Clerk and wishes to accept campaign contributions or make campaign expenditures in connection with a candidacy which would require reporting to a different filing authority, the Candidate or Officeholder must provide the new filing authority a new Campaign Treasurer Appointment along with a certified copy of the Campaign Treasurer Appointment on file with the City of San Antonio.  

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the difference between an Officeholder and Candidate for Municipal Office?
Once an individual takes affirmative action to seek an elective office, he/she is considered to be a Candidate for elected office regardless if the individual is an Officeholder. 

Examples of affirmative action include Appointing a Campaign Treasurer and/or filing an Application for a Place on the Ballot. Please refer to Section 251.001 of the Texas Election Code for more detailed information regarding examples of affirmation action. 
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is a Specific Purpose Political Action Committee?
A Specific Purpose Political Action Committee is a committee that is created to support or oppose a Candidate for Municipal Office or is created to support or oppose a Municipal Ballot Measure. 
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the qualifications to serve as a Campaign Treasurer?
There are no qualifications to serve as a Campaign Treasurer. However, a person is ineligible for appointment as a Campaign Treasurer if the person is the Campaign Treasurer of a Political Action Committee which has outstanding filing obligations (including outstanding penalties). 
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Who must file Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Reports?
Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Reports are required to be submitted by Officeholders, Candidates, and Specific Purpose Political Action Committees (SPAC) once a Campaign Treasurer has been appointed and filed with the Office of the City Clerk. Reports are required to be submitted by an Officeholder, Candidate, or SPAC Treasurer even if there is no reportable political activity. 
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  When are Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Reports due?
  • For a May General or Special Election: Candidates and Committees formed to support or oppose Candidates are required to submit Contribution and Expenditure Reports Semi-Annually every January 15 and July 15, 30 days before the Election, and 8 days before the Election.  The City of San Antonio also requires the submission of Quarterly Contribution and Expenditure Reports due October 15.  
  • During a Run-off Election: Candidates and Committees supporting or opposing a Candidate involved in the Run-off Election are required to submit a Contribution and Expenditure Report 8 days before the Run-off Election.  The City of San Antonio also requires the submission of Quarterly Contribution and Expenditure Reports due April 15 and October 15.  
  • During a Calendar Year when No Municipal Election is Scheduled: All Officeholders, Candidates, and Committees with a Campaign Treasurer Appointment on file with the Office of the City Clerk are required to submit Campaign and Expenditure Reports Semi-Annually every January 15 and July 15.  The City of San Antonio also requires the submission of Quarterly Contribution and Expenditure Reports due April 15 and October 15.  
  • For a Special November Election: Candidates and/or Committees are required to submit Campaign and Expenditure Reports Semi-Annually every January 15 and July 15, 30 days before the Special Election, and 8 days before the Special Election.  The City of San Antonio also requires the submission of a Quarterly Contribution and Expenditure Report due April 15.  
  • Deadline for Submission of Reports: All Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Reports are required to be filed with the Office of the City Clerk by 5:00 pm on the date the report is due regardless if the report is submitted electronically or by hardcopy.

View a complete list of Contribution and Expenditure Reports to be submitted and respective due dates.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Do I still have to submit a Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Report if I have no reportable political activity?

Yes. Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Reports are required to be submitted by all Officeholders, Candidates, and Committees even if there is no reportable political activity.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Do I still have to submit a Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Report if I am not involved in the election?

Yes. As long as an Officeholder, Candidate, or Committee has appointed a Campaign Treasurer, Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Reports must be filed in accordance with State and Municipal Campaign Finance requirements. Withdrawing from an election, being disqualified as a candidate, being defeated in an election, being affected by term limitations, or having no reportable political activity does not absolve an Officeholder, Candidate, or Committee from the requirement to file timely reports. Only the submission of a complete Final Report releases the Candidate, Officeholder, or Committee from the obligation to file reports. 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is a Final Report?

This is a Contribution and Expenditure Report that terminates the Campaign Treasurer Appointment and ends the requirement of filing reports.  However, it does not terminate the Candidate’s or Officeholder’s requirement of submitting other financial documents such as Personal Financial Statements. 

 If at the time the Final Report is submitted the former Candidate retains surplus funds or assets, Annual Reports of Unexpended Contributions must be submitted no later than January 15 for no more than 6 years from the date the Final Report was submitted.  Please refer to the Texas Ethics Commission Guide entitled Campaign Finance Guide for Candidates and Officers who file with Local Authorities to obtain more information regarding how to dispose of surplus funds and/or assets after the Final Report has been filed. The latest possible date for filing a report of unexpended contributions is 30 days after the end of that six-year period.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Can a Candidate, Officeholder, or Political Action Committee accept contributions from corporations?
No. On April 21, 2010, the Texas Ethics Commission issued Advisory Opinion No. 489 which states that corporations are prohibited from making political contributions unless specifically allowed by Title 15 of the Texas Election Code. 
To obtain more detailed information regarding corporate contributions; please see Title 15 of the Texas Election Code.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Does the City of San Antonio have contribution limits?
Yes. Cumulative contributions received from any single donor during any single Municipal Contribution Cycle cannot exceed $500 for a City Council Candidate or Officeholder OR $1,000 for a Mayoral Candidate or Officeholder.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the Municipal Contribution Cycles?

As denoted in Section 2-301 of Municipal Campaign Finance Regulations, there are (4) four Municipal Contribution Cycles.

  • Pre-Election Contribution Cycle: Begins July 1 of the calendar year before the date of the General Election and ends on the date of the General lection.  CAVEAT:  Candidates for Mayor or City Council may not accept nor deposit campaign contributions after midnight on the fourth calendar day before the May General Election;
  • Run-off Contribution Cycle (if applicable): This Contribution Cycle only pertains to Candidates involved in the Run-Off Election. The Cycle begins the day after the May General Election and ends on the date of the June Run-off Election.  CAVEAT:  Candidates may not accept nor deposit campaign contributions after midnight on the fourth calendar day before the Run-off Election;
  • Post Election Contribution Cycle: Begins the day after the May General Election or the day after the Run-off Election, as applicable, and ends on June 30 of the calendar year before the next May General Election; and 
  • Special Election Contribution Cycle resulting from Council Vacancy: Begins on the day the City Council acknowledges the Vacancy and ends on the day of the Special Election to Fill the Unexpired Term of Office.  The Special Run-off Election Contribution Cycle begins the day after the Special Election to Fill the Unexpired Term of Office and ends on the date of the Special Run-off Election. CAVEAT:  Candidates for Mayor or City Council may not accept nor deposit campaign contributions after midnight on the fourth calendar day before the special election. 
Click here to view the Contribution Cycles for the May 4, General Election.

 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the difference between Municipal Contribution Cycles and Texas Ethics Commission Reporting Periods?
Municipal Contribution Cycles work in conjunction with the State Reporting Periods. However, each has different beginning and ending periods. The Office of the City Clerk has created a document which lists the Municipal Campaign Contribution Cycles, the Contribution and Expenditure Reports required to be submitted, and the periods covered within each Report. View the document.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I submit my Campaign and Expenditure Reports?
In accordance with Municipal Campaign Finance Regulations, Campaign and Expenditure Reports are required to be submitted electronically using the City of San Antonio’s Electronic Filing System. However, the City of San Antonio does allow for Officeholders, Candidates, or Specific Purpose Political Action Committees to file original hardcopy Campaign and Expenditure Reports if he/she meets certain criteria. If a hardcopy report is filed, an Affidavit must be submitted with the Campaign and Expenditure Report.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Is there anything else that I need to submit?

In accordance with Section 2-306 of Municipal Campaign Finance Regulations, Officeholders and Candidates for Municipal Office are required to submit monthly bank statements within five (5) business days of receipt of the statement from the financial institution. 

Statements should be delivered to the following address:

Physical Address
Office of the City Clerk
1st Floor Municipal Building 
114 W. Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78205

Mailing Address
Tina J. Flores
City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
P.O. Box 839966
San Antonio, TX 78283-3966

Statements can also be e-mailed to OfficeoftheCityClerk@sanantonio.gov. 

Please refer to the Campaign Finance section of this webpage for more detailed information regarding this topic.

Additionally, Chapter 145 of the Local Government Code requires that all Officeholders and Candidates for Municipal Office submit a Personal Financial Statement (PFS) while the City of San Antonio’s Ethics Code requires the submission of a PFS Addendum. For more detailed information regarding the Application process, please refer to General Municipal Election Information FAQ's. 

Pursuant to Chapter 258 of the Texas Election Code, every Candidate and Political Committee is encouraged to subscribe to the Code of Fair Campaign Practices. The Code may be filed with the Office of the City Clerk upon submission of the Campaign Treasurer Appointment. 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I obtain more information on State and Municipal Campaign Finance Requirements?
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How do I get more information about running for Municipal Office?

Candidate packets containing pertinent election information are available in the Office of the City Clerk before a General Election. The cost of the packet is currently thirty dollars ($30). Packets contain the following:

  • Filing Procedures
  • Important dates related to the election
  • The Application for a Place on the Ballot
  • Petition Form and number of signatures
  • State and Municipal Political Advertising Information
  • Financial Disclosure Information
  • State and Local Campaign Finance Regulations