San Marcos City Council certifies election returns, orders Dec. 13 runoff; Matthew Mendoza sworn in

San Marcos City Council on Nov. 17 adopted Ordinance 2025-47 to canvass the Nov. 4, 2025, general election returns, declare the results and order a runoff election for council member Place 2 on Dec. 13, 2025. The ordinance also establishes early-voting and election-day polling locations for the runoff and includes an emergency clause to allow adoption on a single reading.

Clerk read the ordinance aloud and called for a motion. Council member Rodriguez moved to approve the ordinance; the motion was seconded by Council member Matthew Mendoza. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote; members present answered “yes” or “aye.” The clerk announced the motion passed with a 6-2 vote and one member absent.

The ordinance text read into the record specified the purpose as canvassing returns and declaring the results of the Nov. 4 election; it also set the runoff date for Dec. 13, 2025, and directed staff to establish early voting and polling locations. The ordinance declares an emergency to permit adoption on a single reading. The ordinance number read in the meeting record was 2025-47.

After the canvass, the council issued a certificate of election for Place 1. Presiding officer Jane Houston presented the certificate attesting that Matthew Mendoza was duly elected to the office of council member, Place 1, in the Nov. 4 general election and caused the city seal to be affixed.

Judge Marino administered the oath of office to Matthew Mendoza, who recited the oath to "faithfully execute the duties of the office of council member" and to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of the State of Texas." After the oath, Mendoza thanked neighbors and colleagues, saying, "We may not agree a 100%, but I truly respect every 1 of you, and I'm very grateful to be here," and that he looks forward to another three years of service.

The meeting concluded shortly after the swearing-in; the presiding officer adjourned the special meeting at 5:36 p.m.

Clarifying details: the ordinance as read orders the Place 2 runoff for Dec. 13, 2025, and directs establishment of early-voting and polling locations; the meeting record does not list the specific polling locations or early-voting sites. The clerk's spoken tally included inconsistent phrasing when announcing the vote totals; the record also names the ordinance as 2025-47.