Election Information
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
The City of Lewisville appreciates your consideration and interest to run for an elected official position. On May 12, 2012, the citizens of Lewisville will be electing persons to the position of Mayor and Place No. 2. Each position is for a three (3) year term of office.
The City Charter, Sec. 3.02, outlines the qualifications to file for office and an excerpt of this section is provided below for you.
Section 3.02. Qualifications
The mayor and each member of the city council, in addition to having such other qualifications as prescribed by law, shall be a qualified voter of the city; shall have resided for at least one (1) year immediately preceding his election within the corporate limits of the City of Lewisville, or shall have been a resident for at least one (1) year immediately preceding his election of any territory not formerly within the corporate limits of said city, but which has been annexed to the city under the provisions of section 1.03 of this charter; shall not be in arrears in the payment of any taxes or other liabilities due to the city; and shall not hold any other office or employment under the city government while he is a member of said council.
The first day to file for for a place on the ballot is February 4, 2012 (Saturday). The City Secretary’s Office will begin accept applications at 151 West Church Street, Lewisville, Texas for the above-mentioned places Monday, February 6, 2012 through Monday, March 5, 2012. The City Secretary's Office will receive applications at this location during the business week between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Forms
Texas Election Law is very specific in many areas and the linked material below contains information and forms for the General Election. The information includes the following:
Once you have filed your application with the City Secretary, you may utilize the following forms during the campaign.
| Candidate/Officeholder Campaign Finance Report - Form C/OH and Instruction Guide
These forms are to be filed with the City Secretary on dates specified on the form. There is a modified reporting statement for those candidates not planning to spend more than $500.00. Candidates are encouraged to pay close attention to their expense forms. Per Texas Law, these forms are considered public record.
Our office will be most happy to help you in any way we can during your candidacy. We would caution you, however, that the responsibility for compliance with the Election Laws and the Finance Filing Guide for Local Candidates and Officeholders belongs solely to the candidate. The Texas Ethics Commission is responsible for interpreting Campaign Finance Law (Title 15). You may direct questions about campaign finance law to the Ethics Commission at 512-463-5800. Information may also be accessed at the Ethics Commission website at www.ethics.state.tx.us. |
| Candidate/Officeholder Report of Unexpended Contributions - Form C/OH-UC and Instruction Guide |
| Correction Affidavit for Candidate/Officeholder - Form COR-C/OH |
| Amendment to Appointment of Campaign Treasurer by a Candidate - Form ACTA and Instruction Guide |
C/OH Report: Designation of Final Report (Included at the end of Form C/OH)
This form is to be filed at the end of the election or when you are no longer receiving or spending political contributions |
Title 15 of the Texas Election Code by the Texas Ethics Commission.
This information pertains to the filing requirements of campaign expenditure reports. Title 15 also contains regulations on political advertising. |
| Campaign Filing Guide for Candidates and Officeholders by the Texas Ethics Commission. |
| Political Advertising - What You Need to Know by the Texas Ethics Commission. |
Poll watcher certificate
and
Section 33.001-33.061, Texas Election Code
This certificate is required if you wish to use a poll watcher. |
| Affinity and Consanguinity charts as they relate to Conflict of Interest. |
The above forms are filed with the City Secretary, and as such, the City Secretary serves only as the custodian of the records for the benefit and convenience of the public. The City Secretary does not have any duty to determine the sufficiency or timeliness of the statements and does not have the authority to refuse to accept a statement for filing on either of these grounds. If you have questions or concerns regarding campaign reporting please contact the Texas Ethics Commission at 512-463-5800.
Election Signs
City of Lewisville Ordinance Regarding Political Signs
Information from Texas Department of Transportation regarding placement of campaign signs
I hope the information provided will be helpful to you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or a member of my team at 972.219-3404. Below is a listing of important dates for the upcoming election.
Sincerely,
Julie Heinze
| Important Dates for May 12, 2012 Election - Pending City Council Approval |
| February 4, 2012 | First day to file for place on ballot (following the City Council calling the election) |
| February 4, 2012 | First day a write-in candidate may file declaration (following the City Council calling the election) |
| March 5, 2012 | Last day to file for place on ballot (this also applies to a write-in candidate) |
| March 6, 2012 | Last day for write-in candidate to withdraw |
| March 8, 2012 | Last day for candidate to withdraw |
| March 12, 2012 | Drawing for order of names on ballot (8:30 a.m. – City Council Conference Room) |
| March 13, 2012 | First day to accept application for early mail ballot |
| April 12, 2012 | Last day to register to vote in order to vote in the May 12, 2012 Election |
| April 12, 2012 | Due date for first report of campaign contributions and expenditures |
| April 27, 2012 | Last day to receive application from voter in person for a ballot to be voted by mail |
| April 30 - May 5, 2012 | Early voting by personal appearance - Poll Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| May 4, 2012 | Due date for second report of campaign contributions and expenditures |
| May 7 & 8, 2012 | Extended hours for early voting by personal appearance - Poll Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| MAY 12, 2012 | ELECTION DAY |
| May 21, 2012 | Canvass election results - regular scheduled City Council meeting |
| July 16, 2012 | Due date for semi-annual report |
During the election-voting period from early voting through election day, we try to provide sufficient information to all of you regarding the proper election and campaign processes. The following is a list of important things to remember for the early voting polling location and election day polling locations:
1. Early voting will be conducted at the Lewisville Municipal Annex in the Community Room at the times specified in the election order.
2. During early voting, there is no electioneering or loitering allowed within the 100’ distance markers located outside of the building or inside the building. If you are voting or conducting business at the Annex, you should remember to remove all campaigning materials, i.e., badges, hats, shirts, jackets, etc., before entering the above referenced areas.
3. All political advertising should be prepared in accordance with the Texas Election Code and can only be distributed outside of the distance markers.
4. All political signs must adhere to the City’s Sign Ordinance (found on the City’s website under Election Information).
5. The City also has a restriction that no political signs can be posted on city-owned property such as city parks, fire stations, police stations, libraries, city hall, etc. Remember that this also pertains to magnetic signs placed on vehicles that are parked on city-owned property.
6. The following is a list of the ONLY people allowed inside the polling place (early voting/election day):
a. Persons admitted to provide assistance to or to interpret for a voter who is entitled to assistance or to an interpreter.
b. Election judges and clerks
c. Poll watchers
d. Interpreters
e. Peace officers appointed by the presiding judge to preserve order
f. Those people admitted to vote
g. Children under 18 years old who are accompanying a parent who is admitted to vote
7. It is a Class C Misdemeanor for a “candidate” to be present in a polling place during early voting or on election day, unless the candidate is voting, assisting a voter, or conducting official business within the building in which the polling place is located. If a candidate is not in the building for one of these reasons, he or she will not violate the section if they are not engaged in campaign activity, and are not within plain view or hearing of persons waiting to vote or person voting.
8. On election day, the distance markers are 100’ feet from the entrance to the polling locations and the same rules about electioneering apply.
9. It is also a Class C Misdemeanor to loiter within the boundary established by the distance markers.
10. Please remember the election workers are not allowed to give the names of voters who have or have not voted in the election; or the number of votes cast that have been received by individual candidates.
11. The election judges are required to post information about the number of voters who have voted at two-hour intervals beginning at 9:30 a.m. and this notice should be posted next to the entrance to the polling location.
12. Once the polls have closed and the election returns completed, all election returns will be delivered to the Denton County Elections Administrator’s Office for official compilation and posting. All winners will be announced by posting the results at Lewisville City Hall.
Please take the opportunity to also distribute this information to your election workers. By following these guidelines, the election process will run very smoothly.
If further information is needed regarding the election process, please contact the City Secretary’s Office at 972-219-3404.
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