[Amended 9-20-1988 by resolution, approved at election 11-22-1988; 11-4-2003 by resolution, approved at
election 4-6-2004; 8-31-2004 by resolution, approved at election 11-2-2004]
An election shall be held April 5, 2005, to determine the representation of each individual ward as identified in Chapter
35 of the Code of the City of El Reno. The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes from within their respective ward will be elected to represent that ward.
The winning candidate who receives the highest percentage of
all votes cast within their ward will be elected to a term that will
expire on November 10, 2009. The winning candidate who receives the
second highest percentage of all votes cast within their ward will
be elected to a term that shall expire on November 11, 2008. The winning
candidate who receives the third highest percentage of all votes cast
within their ward will be elected to a term that shall expire on November
20, 2007. The winning candidate who receives the smallest percentage
of all votes cast within their ward will be elected to a term that
will expire on November 14, 2006.
There shall be an election to determine one council seat in
November each year thereafter in accordance with the election schedule
prescribed in 26 O.S. § 3-101. Said terms shall begin the
Tuesday following the election at 7:30 p.m., and shall continue for
four years and until their successors are duly qualified.
The term for the current mayor shall expire on November 20,
2007. An election shall be held on November 13, 2007 to fill this
office. The mayor shall be elected at large every three (3) years
thereafter.
If mayor-elect or councilman-elect fail to qualify within one
month after the beginning of his term, his election shall be void.
Incumbent members of the city council who are in office at the time
of approval of this amendment to the charter shall continue to serve
until the expiration of their respective terms.
Councilmen shall serve for terms of four years and until their
successors are elected and qualified. Council candidates must reside
from within the ward they seek to represent. Qualified electors shall
only elect a councilman from within the ward where they reside. Removal
of a council member from one ward to another within the city after
his election, or a change in ward boundaries, shall not disqualify
him from completing the terms for which he was elected.
The mayor shall be elected at large by the qualified electors
of the city and shall serve for terms of three years.
There shall be no primary election but only a general election,
herein called "election."
[Amended 2-16-1982 by resolution, approved at election 4-6-1982; 9-20-1988 by resolution, approved at election 11-22-1988; 8-31-2004 by resolution,
approved at election 11-2-2004]
Any qualified person who is an actual resident of the municipality
may become a candidate for mayor or councilman by filing a declaration
of candidacy no earlier than 8:00 a.m. on the last Monday in August,
and no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next succeeding Wednesday with
the secretary of the county election board. A member shall not be
required to forfeit his council position until he is elected, qualified
and takes office as mayor.
[Amended 11-4-2003 by resolution, approved at election 4-6-2004; 8-31-2004 by resolution, approved at election 11-2-2004]
Beginning in November 2006, an election shall be held in November
every year to elect a councilman to succeed the councilman whose term
is expiring. The date for said election shall be in accordance with
the election schedule prescribed in 26 O.S. § 3-101. If
there is only one candidate, he shall be elected ipso facto; and a
formal election need not be held. Qualified electors of the City shall
only be entitled to vote for one candidate who resides within their
ward, and the instruction "Vote for only one" shall appear on the
ballot above the names of the candidates. The candidate from the ward
who receives the greatest number of votes shall be elected councilman.
A simple majority will determine the winner of the election. In case
of failure to elect a councilman because of a tie, the election shall
be determined fairly by lot from among the candidates tying, by the
county election board in a public meeting.
Only electors residing in this city who have the qualifications
prescribed for electors by the state constitution and law, and who
are registered as required by law, may vote in city elections.
No officer or employee of the city except the councilmen, may
work for or against, or attempt to influence the nomination, election
or defeat of any candidate for councilman, or the recall of any councilman;
provided that this shall not prohibit the ordinary exercise of one's
right to express his opinions and to vote. Any person who violates
this provision, shall be punished, upon conviction thereof, by a fine
not exceeding twenty dollars including costs. Such violation shall
constitute cause for removal from office or employment.
The provisions of the state constitution and law applicable
to city elections shall govern such elections in this city insofar
as they are applicable and are not superseded by this charter or by
ordinance.
A proclamation of the mayor calling a special election need
not (but may) set forth the names of the precinct officers who are
to conduct the election, but shall give the locations of polling places.