Austin Audit Proposal Delayed Until November Ballot

Save Austin Now PAC misses deadline to get measure on May ballot

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A local political action committee in Austin, Texas, called Save Austin Now has been working to put a mandatory city spending audit measure on the May 2026 ballot. However, the group missed the deadline to submit the required number of valid signatures from registered voters to the city clerk, and the measure will now be aimed for the November 2026 ballot instead.

Why it matters

The proposed audit amendment is part of an ongoing debate in Austin over fiscal accountability and transparency. While the mayor is pushing for an external audit ordinance, Save Austin Now believes a charter amendment is necessary to ensure sustained oversight. The delay means the issue will not be decided until the November election.

The details

Save Austin Now had planned to submit over 20,000 valid signatures to the city clerk this week to qualify the measure for the May ballot. However, the city requires 30 days to validate the signatures, and the deadline for the city council to call a May election was this past Friday. As a result, the group will now aim to get the item on the November 2026 ballot instead.

  • The deadline for Austin City Council to call a May 2026 election was on Friday, February 14, 2026.
  • Save Austin Now planned to deliver the petition signatures to the city clerk at some point this week (the week of February 10, 2026).
  • The city requires 30 days to validate petition signatures to ensure they are from qualified voters.

The players

Save Austin Now

A local political action committee in Austin, Texas that has been pushing for a mandatory city spending audit measure to be added to the city charter.

Matt Mackowiak

The co-chair of Save Austin Now.

Kirk Watson

The mayor of Austin, who is separately pushing to pass a city ordinance requiring external audits of city spending.

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What they’re saying

“We will be on the November ballot.”

— Matt Mackowiak, Co-Chair, Save Austin Now (statesman.com)

What’s next

The Austin City Council is expected to vote on Mayor Watson's proposed external audit ordinance on February 26, 2026. If that measure passes, it could impact the debate over the need for a charter amendment.

The takeaway

This delay highlights the challenges of getting citizen-led ballot initiatives onto the ballot in a timely manner, even when there appears to be significant public support. The debate over fiscal accountability in Austin will now be pushed to the November 2026 election cycle.