Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Patrick Aten, City Secretary
Contact Info
paten@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Discuss and consider approval of an ordinance to order the postponement of the Special Election on proposed amendments to the City Charter from May 2, 2020, to November 3, 2020; and declaring an emergency.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
Governor Abbott issued a proclamation (attached) suspending certain provisions of the Texas Election Code to allow all local political subdivisions utilizing the May 2, 2020 uniform election date to postpone their election to the November 3, 2020 uniform election date.
• This does not affect the candidates for the Regular Election, as they were unopposed, the candidate filing period ended and will not be re-opened, they were declared the winners, and that election was canceled.
• This is not a permanent move of our municipal elections.
• Election records prepared for the scheduled May election will be maintained and preserved for the November election. All ballots by mail for voters over 65 or due to disability will still be valid for the postponed election. All ballots by mail based upon expected absence from the country will not be valid for the postponed election.
• The City will be required to use county polling locations in the November election, which will likely mean using more than the usual six municipal Election Day locations. That information will be posted and publicized multiple times.
• The voter registration deadline for the November election is October 5, 2020. The deadline to submit an application for ballot by mail is October 23, 2020. Early Voting will be from October 19 - October 30, 2020.
• Notice of the postponement will be posted on the City website and other various media.
New Braunfels ISD is postponing their election to November.
Lake Dunlap WCID is postponing their election to November.
Comal ISD is meeting on April 14 to decide.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
The expected cost of a municipal election is about $15,000; however, we will see some cost savings because of multiple entities having their elections at the same time.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the item.