For more information contact:

Nicholas Finan, City Secretary
Administration Department, City of Texas City
(409) 643-5916
FAX 409-643-5952
nfinan@texas-city-tx.org

The City of Texas City appreciates your consideration and interest to run for an elected official position. On May 12, 2012, the citizens of Texas City will be electing persons to Mayor, two Commissioners at large, Commissioner District One, Commissioner District Two, Commissioner District Three and Commissioner District Four for a two year term of office.

The City Charter, Article II. Governing Body Sec. 2 outlines the eligibility to file for office and an excerpt of this section is provided below for you.

The mayor and each commissioner shall, in addition to the other qualifications prescribed by law:

1. Be at least 21 years of age and a qualified resident voter in the city;
2. A candidate for a district commissioner position shall be a resident of the district from which election is sought for at least twelve (12) months prior to the date of the election and continue to reside in said district during term of office;
3. A candidate for mayor or an at-large commissioner position shall be a resident of the city for at least twelve (12) months prior to the date of the election and continue to reside in the city during term of office.

A member of the commission ceasing to possess any of the qualifications specified in this section or convicted of a felony while in office, shall immediately forfeit his/her office.

If a member of the commission is absent for three (3) consecutive, regular meetings without an explanation acceptable to a majority of the commission, the office of that commissioner shall be declared vacant at the next regular meeting.

The City Secretary's Office will accept applications for the above-mentioned places beginning Monday, February 6, 2012 through Monday, March 5, 2012 during the business week between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Notice of Deadline to File Application
Candidate Packet (241 pages, 14 MB)

Forms

As you are aware, 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:

• Application for a Place on the City of Texas City General Election Ballot
• Petition for a Place on the City General Election Ballot

Texas Election Code 143.005(d) — for any petition required or authorized to be filed in connection with a candidate's application for a place on the ballot for an office of a home-rule city, the minimum number of signatures that must appear on the petition is the greater of:

1. 25; or
2. One-half of one percent of the total vote received in the territory from which the office is elected by all candidates for mayor in the most recent mayoral general election.

Appointment of Campaign Treasurer by a Candidate (Form CTA) and Instruction Guide. The CTA form is to be filed with the City Secretary. In accordance with Texas Law, you must designate a Campaign Treasurer before any funds can be expended and before candidate accepts campaign contributions. You may name yourself as treasurer.

Code of Fair Campaign Practices (Form CFCP) and Chapter 258, Election Code, Fair Campaign Practices Act from the Texas Ethics Commission.  Your subscription to this Code is voluntary and if you elect to subscribe, the form should be filed with the City Secretary.

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. Candidates are encouraged to pay close attention to their expense forms. Per Texas Law, these forms are considered public record.

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 or 800-325-8506. Information may also be accessed at the Ethics Commission website.

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 – FR Report: Designation of Final Report (this form is included with Form C/OH-UC.  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, Election Code 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 Finance Filing Guide for Candidates and Officeholders by the Texas Ethics Commission.

Political Advertising — What You Need to Know by the Texas Ethics Commission.

Appointment of Poll Watcher by Candidate on the Ballot or Declared Write-In Candidate and Section 33.001-33.061, Texas Election Code. This certificate is required if you wish to use a poll watcher.

Poll Watcher's Guide by the Secretary of State Elections Division

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 1-800-325-8506