Pursuant to provisions of the Texas Election Code, and the Charter of the City of Sugar Land, Ordinance No. 2125 calls a General Election for May 5, 2018.

Ordinance No. 2125 establishes the Fort Bend County Election Administrator as the Contracting Officer for joint election services between Fort Bend County and the City (and other political subdivisions). The ordinance, as shown in Exhibit A, establishes early voting locations for voting in-person.

Federal postcard applications received by the Elections Administrator shall be treated as a ballot request for each General Election conducted by the Early Voting Clerk, as per the Election Code. Ballots for the May 5, 2018 Election will be sent to city of Sugar Land registered voters who submitted a federal application for the May General Election. 

Between May 11 - 14, 2018 the Early Voting Ballot Board convenes to verify ballots received from outside the United States, per the Election Code, to be counted in the election. The Elections Administrator will issue the official tabulation following the aforementioned. 

Final canvassing of the election will take place during the May 15, 2018 City Council Meeting. Oath of office for those elected will take place on May 15th as well. If a runoff is deemed necessary, the Runoff Election will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2018.

Estimated pro rata costs for the General Election is $35,452.00, plus ancillary costs. The cost for the Runoff Election will be provided following the official canvassing of the General Election, if a runoff election is to be held. The terms of the joint election services agreement automatically includes provisions for a Runoff Election.

The deadline for candidates to file for a place on the ballot for the May 5, 2018 General Election is February 16, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.

Staff recommends approval of Ordinance No. 2125 calling a General Election for May 5, 2018 on first and final reading.