Laredo city to relaunch voter education outreach campaign

Laredo city officials are bringing back a nonpartisan voter education and outreach campaign after saying a similar effort in 2024 helped boost participation in local elections.

The City Council approved the relaunch by voice vote, with officials framing it as an effort to increase voter awareness, registration, education and turnout ahead of upcoming elections.

Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino said the city should make sure residents have accurate election information and that low turnout should not be acceptable for a city of Laredo's size. Public Information Manager Noraida Negron said the city plans to largely replicate the 2024 campaign.

What the city plans to do

The outreach effort is expected to use newspapers, radio, television, social media, newsletters, public-access debates, billboards and community partnerships.

City staff also said the campaign may involve community organizations and local political parties to help distribute election information, while keeping the effort nonpartisan.

Why officials are reviving it

The earlier campaign ran from September 17 to November 5, 2024, and cost about $25,000, according to city staff.

Officials said that effort generated more than 66,000 votes and came close to matching the city's turnout record set in 2020. They are now pointing to that result as evidence that targeted civic education can help raise attention to local elections.

What comes next

City management is expected to develop and carry out the campaign, including decisions on budget, timing and partners.

Open questions remain about which upcoming election cycle will be targeted first and how far the city will go beyond the 2024 playbook.

The relaunch comes as Laredo officials continue to focus on turnout concerns and on keeping election outreach within nonpartisan rules.