20-1695ORDINANCE NO.20-1695
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 20-742 POSTPONING THE SPECIAL
ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, ON MAY 2, 2020 AND, IF A
RUNOFF ELECTION IS REQUIRED, ON JUNE 13, 2020, TO FILL A VACANCY iN
DISTRICTS 1 AND 2 FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING IN MAY, 2021, TO
NOVEMBER 3, 2020 BY EXTENDING EARLY VOTING; CONFIRMING CANDIDATE
FILINGS; PROVIDING DATES FOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND APPLICATIONS FOR
A BALLOT BY MAIL; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY SECRETARY TO
COORDINATE WITH THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR OF DENTON COUNTY AS
NECESSARY; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN OPEN MEETINGS
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on September 24, 2019, Council Member Gerard Hudspeth submitted his
resignation as a member of the Council District 1 to become effective at the time of the canvass of
the results of the City Council election to be held May 2, 2020, as required by the City Charter;
and
WHEREAS, on December 20, 2019, Council Member Keely Briggs submitted her
resignation as a member of the Council District 2 to become effective at the time of the canvass of
the results of the City Council election to be held May 2, 2020, as required by the City Charter;
and
WHEREAS, the City Secretary formally accepted the resignations of Council Members
Gerard Hudspeth and Keely Briggs, respectively, with City Council notified of same; and
WHEREAS, on February 4, 2020, the City Council passed Ordinance No. 20-265 which
ordered a special election for council members for Districts 1 and 2 of the City Council, to fill the
unexpired term following the above-referenced resignations; and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation, attached
hereto as Exhibit “A“ (the “March Proclamation”) suspending Section 41.0052(a) and (b) of the
Texas Election Code and allowing political subdivisions to move their general and special
elections set on May 2, 2020 to the next uniform election date, November 3, 2020, without
otherwise adjusting the term of office; and
WHEREAS, on March 20, 2020, the City Council passed Ordinance No. 20-742 which
amended Ordinance 20-265 ordering a special election for council members for Districts 1 and 2
of the City Council to fill the unexpired term following the above-referenced resignations, to
postpone the date of the election, confirm candidate filings, and provide dates for early voting and
applications for ballot by mail; and
WHEREAS, on July 27, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation, attached
hereto as Exhibit “B” (the “July Proclamation”) suspending Section 85.001(a) of the Texas
Election Code and extending the early voting period; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds it is in the public interest to extend the early voting
period for the special election of council members for Districts 1 and 2 pursuant to the July
Proclamation; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The findings and recitations contained in the preamble of this Ordinance are
true and correct and are hereby incorporated into the body of this Ordinance by reference.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to the July 27, 2020 Proclamation of Governor Greg Abbott, City
of Denton Ordinance No. 20-742 is hereby amended to establish the dates for early voting as
October 13, 2020 through October 30, 2020.
SECTION 3. The candidate filings for the election originally ordered for May 2, 2020
will remain valid for the election held on November 3, 2020 and that filing period will not be re-
opened for the November election date.
SECTION 4. All ABBMs due to being over the ages of 65 or due to disability will still
be valid for the November 3, 2020 election; ABBMs for voters who submitted ABBMs based on
expected absence from the country will not be valid for the November 3, 2020 election.
SECTION 5. The City Manager and City Secretary are authorized to work with the
Elections Administrator of Denton County to confirm the locations, dates, and times for early
voting by personal appearance and for any other purpose related to the election.
SECTION 6. All other portions of Ordinances No. 20-265 and 20-742 not specifically
amended above shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 7. The manner of holding such election and all questions pertaining thereto shall
be governed by the election laws of the State of Texas.
SECTION 8. The City Council has found and determined that the meeting at which
this Ordinance is considered is open to the public, and that notice thereof was given in
accordance with provisions of the Texas open meetings law, as amended by the Governor
during a declared state of emergency, and that a quorum of the City Council was present.
SECTION 9. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval.
The potion to approve this ordinance was made by 4.1% A
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following vote
and seconded
approved by the
Aye Nay Abstain Absent
Chris Watts, Mayor:
Gerard Hudspeth, District 1 :
Keely G. Briggs, District 2 :
Jesse Davis. District 3 :
John Ryan, District 4:
Deb Armintor, At Large Place 5 :
Paul Meltzer, At Large Place 6 :
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PASSED AND APPROVED this the I btn day of R;e'p+erAbeK , 2020.
4,Z/rATTS. MAYOR
ATTEST:
ROSA RIOS, CITY SECRETARY
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