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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