Pursuant to the Texas Election Code ("Code") and City of Sugar Land ("City") Charter, Ordinance No. 2150 orders a general election to be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019.
The ordinance establishes that the Fort Bend County Elections Administrator ("Administrator") will act as the Contracting Officer for joint election services between Fort Bend County and the City. The ordinance establishes early voting locations, dates and times.
As provided under the Code, federal postcard applications received by the Administrator will be treated as a ballot request for each general election conducted by the early voting clerk. Ballots for the May 4th election will be sent to the registered voters who submitted a federal application for the May general election.
The Early Voting Ballot Board will convene between May 7, 2019 and May 13, 2019 to verify that all ballots from outside the United States, late domestic ballots, and ballots from members of the armed forces and merchant marine of the United States, and their spouses and dependents have been received and counted in the election prior to the Administrator issuing the official tabulation.
The official canvass will be conducted by the City Council at a City Council meeting between May 7, 2019 and May 15, 2019. Per City Charter, the persons elected will take the oaths of office and begin their duties at the meeting which the City Council declares the results of the election. If a runoff is deemed necessary, the runoff election will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2019.
The estimated pro rata costs for the general election is $31,209.00, plus ancillary costs. If a runoff election is required, the cost for the runoff election will be provided following the official canvassing of the general election. The terms of the joint election services agreement automatically includes provisions for a runoff election.
The deadline for a candidate to file for a place on the May 4, 2019, general election ballot is February 15, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
Staff recommends approval of Ordinance No. 2150 ordering a general election for May 4, 2019 on first and final reading.