HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd. 1973-968 - candidate filing methods
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ORDINANCE NO.
968
AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING METHODS FOR CANDIDATES FOR CITY OF
LA PORTE ELECTIVE OFFICES TO FILE FOR OFFICE AND HAVE THEIR
NAMES APPEAR ON THE OFFICIAL BALLOT AT CITY GENERAL ELECTIONS;
MAKING FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
WHEREAS, Article IX, Section 85, of the Charter of the
City of La Porte includes, among other things, requirements
that applications to file for city elective offices be accom-
panied by the filing fees specified therein; and
WHEREAS, the United States District Court for the Southern
District of Texas ~ru1ed that similar requirements for payment
of filing fees, standing alone, are unconstitutional and invalid;
and
WHEREAS, the City Commission is advised that the constitu-
tiona1 objections to the filing fee requirements would probably
be obviated if a reasonable alternative to the payment of filing
fees were provided, and the City Commission desires to provide
for such an alternative;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LA PORTE:
Section 1. Candidates for full elective terms of office
at City of La Porte general elections may have their names
printed upon the official ballot, if such candidates meet all
legally applicable qualifications for such office, by filing
their sworn applications, in such form as may be required by
law, with the Mayor at least thirty days prior to the election
day and by paying filing fees for the respective offices in the
amounts specified in Article IX, Section 85, of the Charter of
the City of La Porte. Provided, however, the following alterna-
tive method shall be available to those candidates who desire
to obtain a place on the ballot without paying a filing fee:
1. Each such candidate shall file with his said app1ica-
tion, in lieu of a filing fee, a petition requesting
that his name be placed on the ballot bearing signatures
of qualified electors who are residents of the city
equal in number to five per cent (5%) of the total vote
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Ordinance No.
e
968
, Page 2.
e
cast for the office of Mayor at the last preceding
city general election or by fifty (50) qualified
electors, whichever is the lesser number.
2.
The aforesaid petitions shall show the address of
each signer, the number of his Voter Registration
Certificate and the county of its issuance.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately
upon its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED, this the 1st day of October, 1973.
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AP~af ~
City Attorney
CITY OF LA PORTE
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