Title
Approving a resolution changing the City's general election date to November and extending the terms of the current members of the City Council by six months.
Summary
At their regular meeting on October 25, 2011, the City Council discussed the options and considered the benefits and concerns regarding holding the City's general elections in May and in November. Following discussion, the City Council was in support of changing its general election date to November in order to increase voter participation and to save in election costs. Mayor Pro Tem Victor Gonzales requested that a resolution be placed on an upcoming agenda to allow the City Council to consider changing the City's general election date. The resolution for consideration is attached and has been reviewed and approved by the Interim City Attorney.
Background
Senate Bill 100 provides that the county elections administrator is not required to enter into a contract to furnish election services with a city for the May uniform election date in an even-numbered year. It allows a home-rule city to change the date on which it holds its general election for officers from the May uniform election date to the November uniform election date through the adoption of a resolution that supersedes a city charter provision requiring a different election date. It allows a home-rule city to provide for the election of all members of the governing body at the same election through the adoption of a resolution that supersedes a city charter provision establishing staggered terms of office. It provides that a member of a city council with a term of office of more than two years that holds over in office in accordance with Article XVI, Section 17 of the Texas Constitution to conform to a new election date does not create a vacancy in the office by doing so, thereby eliminating the need for a special election called within 120 days of the vacancy. It authorizes a political subdivision that elects the members ...
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