Legislation Details

File #: 20-9807    Version: 1 Name: Ordinance cancelling the mAY 2, 2020 General election
Type: Ordinance Status: Adopted
File created: 2/18/2020 In control: City Secretary
On agenda: 3/3/2020 Final action: 3/3/2020
Title: Ordinance cancelling the May 2, 2020 General Election and Declaring Unopposed Candidates Elected
From
Cathy DiMaggio

Title
Ordinance cancelling the May 2, 2020 General Election and Declaring Unopposed Candidates Elected

Presenter
Cathy DiMaggio, City Secretary

Recommended Action
Approve

Analysis
Section 2.052 and Section 2.053 of the Texas Election Code provide for the cancellation of an election if all candidates are unopposed. Since the General Election for city council members and the extension of the crime tax were ordered separately, the general election can be cancelled. In an election on which there is a proposition on the ballot, the names of the unopposed candidates shall be listed un the heading "Unopposed Candidates Declared Elected." This ordinance will accomplish two things: 1) cancellation of the general election; and 2) declaring unopposed candidates elected. The candidates will be issued a certificate of election and will be sworn in at the Council meeting on May 19, 2020. This is the earliest date for council members to be sworn in because the Texas Election Code stipulates that they should be sworn in the same manner as they would have been if they had been elected on the ballot (i.e. after the canvass).

Financial Consideration
None

Body
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, DECLARING UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES IN THE MAY 2, 2020 GENERAL CITY ELECTION, ELECTED TO OFFICE; CANCELING THE MAY 2, 2020 GENERAL CITY ELECTION; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE

WHEREAS, the general city election was called for May 2, 2020, for the purpose of electing members to the city council; and

WHEREAS, the city secretary has certified in writing that no person has made a declaration of write-in candidacy, and that each candidate on the ballot is unopposed for election to office; and

WHEREAS, under these circumstances, Subchapter C, Chapter 2, Texas Election Code, authorizes the city council to declare the candidates elected to office and cancel the election;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CI...

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