a) 
Schedule.
The regular City Election will be held annually on the first Saturday in May, or as otherwise provided by state law. Elections for candidates who are unopposed may be canceled in accordance with the provisions of applicable state law. The City Council shall be responsible to specify places for holding such election.
b) 
Special Elections.
The City Council may, by ordinance or resolution, order a special election under conditions specified elsewhere in this Charter, for initiative or referendum of ordinances, bond issues, Charter amendments, recall of the Mayor or City Council members or other purposes deemed appropriate by City Council. The City Council will fix the time and place for holding such special elections, and provide all means for holding same.
c) 
Conduct and Regulation of Elections.
All City elections shall be governed by the Constitution of the state of Texas, general laws of the state, this Charter, and ordinances of the City, in the order named. Municipal elections shall be conducted by the election officials appointed or approved by the City Council. Sample ballots identical to the voting machine format for the specific election shall be posted in the voting place(s) for purpose of voter orientation.
(Amended May 6, 2017; Amended May 1, 2021; Amended May 4, 2024)
[1]
Editor’s note–Former subsection c) pertaining to voter eligibility or voter registration list, was deleted as per the election held May 4, 2024. The remaining subsection was renumbered at the request of the city.
a) 
Eligibility to File.
Each candidate for an elective City office shall meet the following qualifications:
1) 
be a registered voter of the City;
2) 
have resided for at least twelve (12) months preceding the election within the corporate limits of the City, including territory annexed prior to the filing deadline; and
3) 
be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of filing.
b) 
Additional restrictions.
In addition to the foregoing qualifications, the following restrictions shall apply:
1) 
An incumbent seeking reelection must file for the same position number presently serving unless filing for the office of Mayor.
2) 
No candidate may file for more than one office or position number per election.
3) 
No candidate shall be placed on the ballot unless his or her application is accompanied by either (1) a filing fee of fifty dollars ($50.00), or (2) a petition signed by qualified voters residing in the City equal in number to at least the greater of: (a) twenty-five. The signed petition shall be filed with the City Secretary, together with the candidate’s sworn application. Each signer next to his or her signature shall indicate the signer’s date of birth, date of signing, the signer’s printed name, and the street address of his or her place of residence, including the county of residence.
(Amended May 6, 2017; Amended May 1, 2021; Amended May 4, 2024)
[1]
Editor’s note–Former subsection b)3) pertaining to continuing in such position after filing for an elective office, was deleted as per the election held May 4, 2024. The remaining subsection was renumbered at the request of the city.
a) 
Names on Ballot.
The name of each candidate nominated for office, except those who have withdrawn, died or become ineligible, shall be printed on the official ballots without party designation or symbol, and in the form designated by the candidate. If two or more candidates have the same surname or surnames so similar as to be likely to cause confusion, their residence addresses shall be printed with their names on the ballot.
b) 
Order of Listing.
The order on the ballot of the names of the candidates shall be determined by lot in a drawing to be held under the supervision of the City Secretary.
c) 
Early Voting Ballots.
Procedures for early voting shall be consistent with applicable state law.
d) 
Ballots for Ordinances, Bond Issues, and Charter Amendments.
An ordinance, bond issue or Charter amendment, to be voted on by qualified voters of the City shall be presented for voting by ballot title. The ballot title of a measure may differ from its legal title and shall be a clear, concise statement, approved by majority of the entire City Council describing the substance of the measure without argument or prejudice. Below the ballot title shall appear the following question: “Shall the above described (ordinance) (bond issue) (Amendment) be adopted?” Immediately below or to the left of such question shall appear, in the following order, the words “Yes” and “No” each with a box in which the voter may cast his or her vote by marking a cross (X).
e) 
Write-In Votes.
Procedures for write-in votes shall be consistent with applicable state law.
(Amended May 6, 2017)
The City Council shall, at a special meeting called for that purpose or at its next regular meeting, canvass the returns from any municipal election and declare the results of said election to be official. The returns of every municipal election shall be recorded in the minutes of the City Council, by totals for each candidate, or, for or against each issue submitted.
A majority vote for an elective office is that number of votes which is greater than one-half of the total number of valid ballots cast for the office concerned. Any candidate for elective office who receives a majority vote shall be declared elected. If none of the candidates for an elective position receives a majority vote, none of such candidates shall be elected.
In the event no candidate for an elective office receives a majority of the votes cast for that position in the regular or special election or there is a tie for first place, a run-off election shall be held between the two (2) candidates who received the greater number of votes. Such run-off election shall be held in accordance with applicable state law.
(Amended May 6, 2017)