HomeMy Public PortalAboutResolution No. 522-20 03-23-2020RESOLUTION NO. 522-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
POSTPONING THE GENERAL ELECTION CALLED FOR MAY 2, 2020,
FOR THE OFFICES OF MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL PLACES 2 AND 4
UNTIL NOVEMBER 3, 2020; ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR THE
POSTPONED ELECTION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Richland Hills is a home rule city acting under its charter
adopted by the electorate pursuant to Article XI, Section 5, of the Texas Constitution and
Chapter 9 of the Local Government Code; and
WHEREAS, Section 41.001 of the Texas Election Code (the "Code") specifies that
the first Saturday in May shall be a "uniform election date" and that a general election of
a city may be held on such day; and
WHEREAS, on January 27, 2020 the City Council called a general election for the
offices of Mayor and City Council Places 2 and 4 to be held on May 2, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020 Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation
authorizing political subdivisions that would otherwise hold elections on May 2, 2020 to
move their general elections for 2020 to November 3, 2020 due to public health and safety
concerns related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19); and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to postpone the May 2, 2020 general election
to November 3, 2020 in order to protect the health and safety of the citizens of the City of
Richland Hills.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1.
GENERAL ELECTION POSTPONED: The general election in the City of Richland Hills,
Texas, called for Saturday, May 2, 2020 for the purposes of electing the offices of Mayor
and City Council Places 2 and 4 is hereby postponed until November 3, 2020.
SECTION 2.
FILING DEADLINES FOR MAY 2, 2020 ELECTION: By postponing the election date,
the City is preserving all candidate filings and ballot order actions that have already taken
place. This postponement does not have the effect of reopening candidate filings.
SECTION 3.
APPLICATIONS BALLOTS BY MAIL FOR THE MAY 2, 2020 ELECTIONS:
(a) All applications for ballots by mail that were filed for the May 2, 2020 election that
are marked annual remain valid for the November 3, 2020 election.
(b) All single use applications for ballots by mail that were submitted for the May 2,
2020 election for reasons of age or disability remain valid for the November 3, 2020
election.
(c) Single use applications for ballots by mail submitted for the May 2, 2020 election
that indicated the reason for voting by mail was due to absence from the county will not
remain valid for the November 3, 2020 election.
SECTION 4.
APPLICATIONS FOR BALLOTS BY MAIL FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2020 ELECTION:
Applications for early voting by mail in Tarrant County may be delivered to the Early Voting
Clerk, 2700 Premier Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76111, FAX: 817-831-6118, email:
votebymail@tarrantcounty.com to be received not later than the close of business on
October 23, 2020. Early Voting ballots shall be mailed to Early Voting Clerk, P.O. Box
961011, Fort Worth, Texas, 76161-0011.
SECTION 5.
EARLY VOTING BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE: Early Voting by personal appearance
shall be conducted beginning on October 19, 2020, and continuing through October 30,
2020. The exact times and locations for early voting will be determined by the Tarrant
County Elections Administrators in accordance with the Joint Election Agreement and will
be reflected in a future revision to the original election order.
SECTION 6.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE: Any individual seeking to vote in the November 3,
2020 election must register to vote by October 5, 2020.
SECTION 7.
ELECTION DAY: Voting shall be conducted between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00
p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at the polling locations determined by the Tarrant
County Elections Administrators in accordance with the Joint Election Agreement and will
be reflected in a future revision to the original election order.
SECTION 8.
GOVERNING LAW AND QUALIFIED VOTERS: The election shall be held in accordance
with the Constitution of the State of Texas and the Code, and all resident qualified voters
of the City shall be eligible to vote at the election.
SECTION 9.
PUBLICATION AND POSTING OF NOTICE OF POSTPONED ELECTION: Notice of the
postponement of the election until November 3, 2020 shall be posted on the City's
website, provided to local media organizations, and provided to the Tarrant County
Elections Administrator.
SECTION 10.
NECESSARY ACTIONS: The Mayor and the City Secretary, in consultation with the City
Attorney, are hereby authorized and directed to take any and all actions necessary to
comply with the provisions of the Code in carrying out and conducting the election,
whether or not expressly authorized herein.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 23 rd DAY OF MARCH, 2020.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
G, CITY SEC~RY