RECOMMENDATION: (Summary)
Adopt an ordinance establishing election precincts and polling places for the 2018 City of Houston Special Election to be held on November 6, 2018.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
On August 8, 2018, the City Council also passed an ordinance calling a special election for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the City of Houston, a proposition to amend the City Charter to require parity in the compensation provided to Houston firefighters compared to the compensation provided to Houston police officers. On August 15, 2018, the City Council passed an ordinance calling a special election for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the City of Houston, a proposition to amend the City Charter to provide for a dedicated pay-as-you-go funding source to enhance, improve and renew the City’s drainage systems and streets.
Chapter 43 of the Texas Election Code requires that the City Council establish precincts and designate polling places for the City’s Special Election to be held on November 6, 2018. The City of Houston will enter into election agreements with Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery Counties (“the Counties”) for use of the Counties’ voting equipment and polling places. The Commissioners’ Courts of the Counties have recently approved, by their respective orders, the division of the Counties into election precincts, and the Counties have arranged for polling locations for the precincts.
Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery Counties have provided the City with lists of precincts and polling places for the City of Houston approved by their respective County Commissioners’ Courts, which are contained in Exhibit A of this ordinance. Section 4.003 of the Election Code requires the City to post notice of the Election, with a list of precincts and polling places, not later than the 21st day before the Election (by Tuesday, October 16, 2018).