El Paso opens voting for 2026 Participatory Budgets

The El Paso City Council has launched the voting phase for its 2026 Participatory Budgets. This initiative allows residents to directly influence the allocation of a portion of the municipal budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Following a feasibility analysis, 33 proposals have advanced to the final voting stage. Registered residents over the age of 16 are eligible to vote, with each person permitted to support up to three different proposals. The selected projects will receive funding until a total budget of 300,000 euros is reached.

Mayor Eloy Martín emphasized the importance of this model in allowing citizens to play an active role in municipal decisions. Councilor for Citizen Participation, Teresa Hernández, noted that the municipality has worked to consolidate this process as a tool for local growth through the involvement of neighborhoods, associations, and educational centers. Voting remains open until September 20 via the official municipal form.