The bill had been the main legislative priority of the Real Estate Council of Austin. "We think it will improve voter turnout," Jerald Winetroub, president of the Austin Real Estate Council and chairman of the coalition backing the bill. "The more people that have an opportunity to vote, the better opportunity you have for full representation. It's important statewide and it's important in Austin."

The law limits most elections to four specific dates, which, its backers say, will increase voter turnout and save money. The Real Estate Council and other backers of the bill had been concerned that voters became apathetic in the face of the state's high number of special elections plus the four regular election dates. Low turnouts, in turn, result in the election of local officials who don't necessarily represent the will of the majority. That leads to policies that impede development.

Just 3% to 5% of voters are turning out in some elections that cost $250,000 to $500,000 each to run, according to poll watchers. Not only are there fewer voters, but there are more elections, some called for a single referendum.