The purpose of this article is to provide reasonable time, place, and manner regulations for electioneering on city-owned or controlled public property when such property is used as an election polling place. The regulations contained herein are to mitigate against any safety concerns, prevent damage to public property, and ensure that the property is sufficiently available for its patrons who use the facilities other than for election purposes.
(Ordinance 2018-21 adopted 4/10/18; Ordinance 2024-40 adopted 8/13/2024)
The following words and phrases as used in this article shall have the meanings as set forth in this section:
Designated polling place.
An area located on city-owned property as may be designated by this article as a polling place pursuant to chapter 43 of the Texas Election Code.
Electioneering.
The posting, use, or distribution of political signs or literature.
Political sign.
A sign promoting the election of a candidate or political party, or approval or rejection of a measure.
Voting period.
A voting period is:
(1) 
With respect to early voting by personal appearance, the hour the polls are open for voting on the first day of the early voting period and ending when the polls are closed or the last voter has voted, whichever is later, on the last day of the early voting period; and
(2) 
With respect to election day, the hour the polls are open for voting and ending when the polls close or the last voter has voted, whichever is later.
(Ordinance 2018-21 adopted 4/10/18; Ordinance 2024-40 adopted 8/13/2024)
(a) 
Political signs may be placed at a designated polling place subject to the following:
(1) 
No more than two (2) political signs permitted for each candidate, political party, or for or against a measure shall be within the designated area for political signs as shown in Illustration No. 1.10.001-1.
(2) 
Shall comply with the provisions of section 4.6008 of the city's zoning ordinance, except:
(A) 
The sign face area of a political sign shall not exceed two feet (2.0') by two feet (2.0').
(B) 
Political signs may be placed no earlier than 7:00 a.m. on the seventh (7th) day prior to the first day of the early voting period and removed no later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) day after the election day.
(3) 
A political sign affixed to or located on a motor vehicle is not subject to the size restrictions of this article but is subject to the following:
(A) 
The vehicle must be parked in a designated parking space except when entering and leaving the property; and
(B) 
The parking of the vehicle on the property is subject to the same regulations as the parking of other vehicles on the property, including, but not limited to, any restrictions or prohibitions on overnight parking.
(4) 
It shall be an offense for any person to violate any provision of this section. Signs placed in violation of this section are subject to removal by the code enforcement division or designated representative of the city without notice. Vehicles parked in violation of this section are subject to being towed.
(b) 
This section does not authorize the location of political signs on any area of any public property located within the right-of-way of a public street, alley, or highway.
(c) 
Electioneering shall only be permitted in accordance with state law, subject to the following:
(1) 
Persons participating in electioneering shall not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic or impede the normal day-to-day operations of the area designated as a polling place;
(2) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to attach, place or otherwise affix or erect any electioneering sign or electioneering literature in any area designated as planting or landscape area or to any tree, shrub, building, pole, or other improvement on a city-owned polling place.
(3) 
The placement of a tent, canopy, or other temporary structure is only permitted for purposes of electioneering in the area depicted in Illustration No. 1.10.001-1. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect a tent, canopy, or other temporary structure outside the area designated in Illustration No. 1.10.001-1.
(Ordinance 2018-21 adopted 4/10/18; Ordinance 2024-40 adopted 8/13/2024)
For purposes of this article, the Midlothian Conference Center is a designated polling place. Illustration No. 1.10.001-1 shows the locations of areas in which the placement of signs, a tent, canopy, or other temporary structure are permitted to be placed on the premises for purpose of electioneering only.
Illustration No. 1.10.001-1
(Ordinance 2018-21 adopted 4/10/18; Ordinance 2024-40 adopted 8/13/2024)