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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 16,499 (Item 5.a.)ORDINANCE NO. 16,499 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, ORDERING THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 3RD DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2026, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING THE COUNCIL MEMBERS OF DISTRICTS FOUR (4), FIVE (5), AND SIX (6) FOR THE CITY OF BAYTOWN; DESIGNATING THE PLACES AND MANNER OF HOLDING SAID ELECTION; PRESCRIBING THE HOURS; ESTABLISHING THE CENTRAL COUNTING STATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EARLY VOTING BALLOT BOARD FOR EARLY BALLOTS; PROVIDING FOR THE POSTING AND PUBLICATION OF NOTICE; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF. WHEREAS, pursuant to Article II, Section 12 of the Charter of the City of Baytown, Texas, Ordinance No. 11,718, Resolution No. 2159, the Texas Election Code and the Order of the Court in Campos, et al. v. City of Baytown, et al., providing for the manner of election and the term of office of the members of the City Council of the City of Baytown, the City Council herein calls its municipal election to be held on the Yd day of November, 2026; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS: Section 1: That the regular general election of the City of Baytown, as prescribed in Article II, Section 12 of the Charter of the City of Baytown, Ordinance No. 11,718, Resolution No. 2159, and Sections 41.001 and 41.031 of the Texas Election Code, shall be held between the hours of seven o'clock (7:00) a.m. and seven o'clock (7:00) p.m. on the P day of November, 2026, in the City of Baytown, Texas, for the purpose of electing Council Members Nos. 4, 5, and 6 for the City of Baytown. Section 2: That the Council Members for the City shall be elected by Single Member Districts by majority vote. District No. Four (4), District No. Five (5), and District No. Six (6) Section 3: That the qualifications of the Council Members shall be as follows: QUALIFICATIONS • shall be 18 years of age or older and a citizen of the United States of America; • shall be a qualified voter of the State of Texas; • shall have resided for at least six (6) months preceding the election within the corporate limits of the City of Baytown; and • shall meet such other requirements as set forth in Chapter 141 of the Texas Election Code. Section 4: That any eligible and qualified person may have his/her name printed upon the official ballot as an independent candidate for the office of Council Member by filing a sworn application with the City Clerk or designee of the City Clerk's Office of the City of Baytown no later than August 17, 2026. The form of the sworn application for the candidates for the office of Council Member shall be as set forth by Section 141.031 of the Texas Election Code. Section 5: That the form of the ballot for said election shall be substantially as follows: OFFICIAL BALLOT FOR COUNCIL MEMBER OF DISTRICTS NO. (Appropriate District No. to be completed for each ballot) Section 6: That any person eligible for the office of Council Member who has filed his/her own sworn application in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance shall have his/her name printed on the official ballot. On or before August 24, 2026, any such person may cause his/her name to be withdrawn by filing, in writing, with the City Clerk or designee of the City Clerk's Office, a request to that effect over his/her own signature, duly attested to by a Notary Public. No names so withdrawn shall be printed on the ballot. Section 7: That should a run-off election be necessary, the run-off election, pursuant to Sections 41.001 and 41.031 of the Texas Election Code, shall be held on (i) the same date and time that Harris and/or Chambers Counties hold their run-off elections or (ii) if Harris and/or Chambers Counties do not hold a run-off election, the run-off election will be held on a date to be determined by the Texas Secretary of State, between the hours of seven o'clock (7:00) a.m. and seven o'clock (7:00) p.m., in the City of Baytown, Texas. Section 8: That the election called in Section 1 hereof shall be held as a joint election with Harris and/or Chambers Counties pursuant to the joint election agreement to be entered into with each county. Section 9: That the City shall use the polling places along with election officials for the municipal election ordered in Section 1 hereof as designated by Harris County and Chambers County. Section 10: Direct recording electronic (DRE) equipment shall be used for voting at the designated election precincts, and electronic counting devices and equipment shall be used for counting the ballots at the election. Section 11: Each qualified voter who desires to cast an early vote shall be entitled to an official ballot and the right to cast such ballot in accordance with the provisions of the Texas Election Code. Early voting will be conducted by the Early Voting Clerks at the places designated by Harris County and Chambers County. Direct recording electronic (DRE) equipment shall be used for early voting by personal appearance. Early voting by personal appearance shall commence on October 19, 2026, and end on October 30, 2026, in accordance with the schedules adopted by Harris and Chambers Counties. Direct recording electronic (DRE) equipment shall be used for early voting by mail in Harris and/or Chambers Counties. Applications for ballots to be voted by mail may be delivered as follows: 2 HARRIS COUNTY Harris County Clerk's Office Attn: Elections Division P.O. Box 1148 Houston, TX 77251-1148 Common or Contract Carrier: Harris County Clerk's Office Attn: Elections Division 15600 Morales Rd. Houston, TX 77032 For Information Call: (713) 755-6965 Fax: (713) 755-4983 Email: vbm(&,,vote.hctx.net. corn Webpage: www.harrisvotes.com CHAMBERS COUNTY Heather Hawthorne Early Voting Clerk P.O. Box 728 Anahuac, TX 77514 Common or Contract Carrier: Chambers County Clerk 404 Washington Ave. Anahuac, TX 77514 For information Call: (409) 267-2418 Fax: (409) 267-8405 Email: hhawthorneAchamberstx.gov Webpage: www.chamberscountytx.gov/169/Elections Note: Applications for Ballots by Mail (ABBMs) and Applications for Federal Post Card Applications (FPCAs) must be received no later than the close of business on Friday, October 23, 2026. If you choose email or fax, the clerk of the county of your residence must receive your original, completed paper application within four (4) business days of our email or fax. Section 12: The Central Counting Stations to receive and tabulate voted ballots shall be at the locations designated by Harris and Chambers Counties. Section 13: The general municipal election shall be held in accordance with, and shall be governed by, the election laws of the State of Texas. In the municipal election, the Mayor and the City Clerk of the City of Baytown shall do and perform each act as required to be done and performed respectively by the County Judge and the County Clerk of the Commissioners' Court. The notice of this election shall be given by posting a substantial copy of this election ordinance at City Hall and at three other places in the City, not later than the 21" day prior to the date set for the election; and a substantial copy of this election ordinance also shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City, the date of the first publication to be not more than 30 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date set for the election. Notice of the election shall also be provided to the Harris County Clerk and Chambers County Clerk not later than the 601h day before the date of the election ordered herein. Section 14: The City Clerk is further authorized to give or cause to be given notices required for the election, and to take such other and further action as is required to conduct the election in compliance with the Texas Election Code. Section 15: In all matters relating to the ordering, giving notice, and holding the election, the City shall comply with the applicable parts of the Texas Election Code, including Chapter 272 of the Texas Election Code pertaining to bilingual requirements, and the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended. 3 Section 16: This ordinance shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas. INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of the City Council of the City of Baytown on this the 25th day of June, 2026. CHARLES JOHNSON, Mayor ATTEST: ANGELA JACKSON, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: KRISTIN HOLMES , Assistant City Attorney R:\Ordinances and Resolutions\Ordinance Drafts\2026-06-25\Calling General Elections 2026.mhs.doex 4