The regular city election shall be held annually on a state authorized Election Day, at which time officers will be elected to fill those offices which become vacant that year. The city council shall fix the hour, place and date for holding such election. The city council may, by ordinance or resolution, order a special election, fix the time and place for holding same and provide all means for holding such special election. Notice of the election shall be published as prescribed by state law. In the ordinance or resolution of the city council calling any election at which more than one councilman shall be elected, the city council shall in calling such election, provide for a separate place on the ballot for each vacancy, and in case an unexpired term is to be filled at such election, the place for the unexpired term shall be so designated.
The city council shall make all regulations which it considers needful or desirable, not inconsistent with this charter or the laws of the State of Texas, for the conduct of municipal elections, for the prevention of fraud in such elections and for the recount of ballots in case of doubt or fraud. Municipal elections shall be conducted by the appointed election authorities who shall also have power to make regulations not inconsistent with this charter or with any regulations made by the council or the laws of the State of Texas.
Any person having the qualifications set forth for councilmember under Section 3.02 of this charter shall have the right to file an application to have his or her name placed on the official ballot as a candidate for any elective office, and such application in writing signed by such candidate according to the general election laws of the State of Texas, shall entitle such applicant to a place on the official ballot. Each person filing an application to have their name placed on the official ballot shall specify the place for which he/she desires to become a candidate.
The names of all candidates for office, except such as may have withdrawn, died or become ineligible, shall be printed on the official ballots without party designations in the order determined in a drawing of lots conducted by the city secretary. All official ballots shall be printed at least twenty days prior to the date of any general or special election, and absentee voting shall be governed by the general election laws of the State of Texas.
At any regular or special municipal election the candidates in each place on the ballot, including the candidate for mayor, receiving the majority of votes cast, shall be declared elected. In the absence of a majority of the votes cast for that position a run-off election shall be held in accordance with State law.
(May 4, 2019, measure 2)
All city elections shall be governed, except as otherwise provided by this charter, by the laws of the State of Texas governing general and municipal elections.
The election judges and other necessary election officials for conducting all such elections shall be appointed by the city council. The election judges shall conduct the elections, determine, record and report the results as provided by the general election laws of Texas. Within five days or as soon as practical after an election, the city council shall meet, open the returns, canvass and officially declare the result of the election as to candidates and questions and issue certificates of election to candidates elected as hereinbefore provided.
Every officer of the city shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation to be filed and kept in the office of the city secretary:
“I, __________, do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of __________, of the City of Gonzales, State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the constitution and laws of the United States and of this state, so help me God.”