Procedure for choosing the successor for San Antonio Mayor

The City Council agrees that it shall follow the process below to fill the vacancy created by Mayor Castro becoming Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mayor Julian Castro will preside over the meeting to fill this vacancy, but shall not vote on the matter.

1) Within seven business days following confirmation by the United States Senate of Mayor Castro to be the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the City Clerk will notify the City Council that Council Members who want to be considered for selection as Mayor are to submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk within three business days from the date of notice. A Council Member may withdraw his or her letter of interest at any time.

2) On July 22nd, a special council meeting will be held. The City Council shall deliberate and vote upon the remaining Council Members with letters of interest to fill the vacancy  created by Mayor Castro becoming Secretary of Housing and Urban Development:

      a) The vote shall be conducted as follows:

            i) The City Clerk shall conduct a roll-call vote, in ascending numerical order;

            ii) No Council Member may vote for himself or herself during the selection process, as stipulated by the Texas Local Government Code; and

            iii) A Council Member being considered to fill the office of Mayor may abstain from casting a vote.

      b) If one Council Member receives a majority of the votes (at least six votes), that Council Member shall become the Mayor;

      c) If no majority exists among the candidates for the position, the City Council shall vote again until one Council Member receives a majority of votes, and that Council Member shall become the Mayor, provided that:

            i) If a tie exists between two Council Members for the most votes, but neither receives a majority of the votes, the City Council shall vote on only those two Council Members, until one Council Member receives a majority of the votes;

            ii) If a tie exists between more than two Council Members for the most votes, the City Council shall vote on those Council Members, eliminating the Council Member(s) receiving the lowest number of votes until only two candidates remain for consideration;

           iii) If only one Council Member receives the highest number of votes, but less than a majority, and a tie exists between two or more Council Members for the second most votes, the City Council shall vote on those Council Members, elimination the Council Member(s) receiving the lowest number until only one candidate remains for consideration against the Council Member that received the highest number of votes.

      d) The Council Member shall be sworn in by the City Clerk as the Mayor, upon the passage of an ordinance confirming the election results, and shall assume the office of Mayor upon the reciept by the City Clerk of a ressignation letter from Julian Castro or upon his taking the oath of office as Secretary, whichever occurs first.