Garland City General Election May 12, 2012

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1 Garland City General Election May 12, 2012 Update on preparations and processes Elaine Simpson, TRMC,CMC Interim City Secretary April 16, 2012

2 A Different Kind of Election Year Senate Bill 100 Census/Redistricting/Litigation Proposed Voter ID bill

3 What did not change In August 2011, City Council reviewed Census 2010 data and determined no need for City Council district boundaries to change Election was called in early February, as usual, with Ordinance #6515. City Council approved entering into Election Services contract with Dallas County with Resolution #10030 approved Payment of $59, was sent to Dallas County on March 23, 2012.

4 What did not change - continued Elections were canceled for unopposed races in late March. Ordinance #6529 canceled elections in Districts #1 and #5, respectively. Councilmember Willis was declared re-elected in #5 and Mr. Tim Campbell was declared elected in #1. Drawing for order of names on the ballot was held after application deadline Here are ballot proofs of District #2 and District #4 ballots:

5 District #2 Ballot Proof

6 District #4 Ballot Proof

7 What did not change - continued The deadlines for most activities did not change, application deadlines, financial report deadlines and voter registration deadlines were similar to previous years. Eastfield College hosted the annual Candidate Forum on April 12, The Election Calendar has the following events remaining:

8 What did not change cont. Election Calendar of Events April 30 May 4 May 8 May 12 May 22 June 23 July 16 First day of early voting by personal appearance. 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Candidate/Specific-Purpose Committee Contributions & Expenditure Report (C/OH) due in City Secretary s office before 5:00 PM Last day to receive applications for early mail ballots. Last day to vote early by personal appearance. 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Garland Youth Council meeting Candidates invited 5:30 PM ELECTION DAY Polling places and Dallas County Voter Registrar offices are open. 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM - After 7:00 PM Unofficial tabulations of results. Official canvass of Regular Election (Proposed) Run-Off Election, if necessary. Last day for semiannual report of contributions & expenditures - 5:00 PM

9 Early Voting Dates & Times EARLY VOTING (Votación Adelantada) Dates and Times (Fechas y épocas para) Joint Election (Elección Conjunta) May 12, 2012 (12 de mayo, 2012) April 30, 2012 (Monday through Friday) May 4, :00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 30 de abril, 2012 (de lunes a viernes) 4 de mayo, :00 A.M. 5:00 P.M. May 5, 2012 (Saturday) 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 5 de mayo, 2012 (sábado) 8:00 A.M. 5:00 P.M. May 6, 2012 (Sunday) 1:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. 6 de mayo, 2012 (domingo) 1:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M. May 7, 2012 (Monday through Tuesday) May 8, :00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. 7 de mayo, 2012 (de lunes a martes) 8 de mayo, :00 A.M. 7:00 P.M.

10 Early Voting Locations The most popular for Garland voters is customarily Garland City Hall, 200 North Fifth ST, Garland, TX (first floor lobby) However, voters can visit any of the Early Voting sites for the Joint Election - Addresses for all EV locations are on the City s website and on the website for Dallas County Elections Office at

11 The New Things Senate Bill 100 Census/Redistricting/Litigation Proposed Voter ID bill

12 New Things Senate Bill 100 Senate Bill 100 created some concern and confusion last year. S.B. 100 (Van de Putte/V. Taylor) Elections: this bill: (1) implements the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act by requiring the early voting clerk to make registration and absentee ballots available to overseas military voters at least 45 days before an election involving a federal or statewide office; (2) moves the filing deadline for an application for a place on the general primary election ballot to the second Monday in December of an odd- numbered year; (3) moves the general primary runoff election date from the fourth Tuesday in May following a general primary election; (4) provides that a county elections administrator is not required to enter into a contract to furnish election services with a city for the May uniform election date (the second) in an even-numbered year; (5) allows a home-rule city to change the date on which it holds its general election for officers from the May uniform election date to the November uniform election date through the adoption of a resolution that supersedes a city charter provision requiring a different election date; (6) allows a home-rule city to provide for the election of all members of the governing body at the same election through the adoption of a resolution that supersedes a city charter provision establishing staggered terms of office; (7) provides that a member of a city council with a term of office of more than two years that holds over in office in accordance with Article XVI, Section 17 of the Texas Constitution to conform to a new election date does not create a vacancy in the office by doing so, thereby eliminating the need for a special election called within 120 days of the vacancy; (8) authorizes a general law city with a term of office of one or three years to adopt a resolution by December 31, 2012 changing the length of the term of office to two years; (9) authorizes a general law city with staggered terms of office for members of the city council to cancel its staggered terms by adopting a resolution by December 31, 2012 providing for the election of all members of the governing body at the same election; 10) authorizes a political subdivision that elects the members of its governing body to a term that consists of an odd number of years to adopt a resolution by December 31, 2012 changing the length of terms of its members to an even number of years. (Effective September 1, 2011, but does not apply to an election held on November 8, 2011.) (TML Legislative Update)

13 New Things Senate Bill 100 In June 2011 City Council indicated they wished to keep the May uniform election date for City General Elections. County Elections Administrator Toni Pippins-Poole informed us in mid-2011 that her office would conduct the 2012 Joint Election on the May uniform date.

14 New Things Redistricting Redistricting The 2010 Census reports that Texas gained more than four million new residents statewide; giving the state four new House seats. The Texas Legislature approved redistricting maps in These maps were challenged and went to a three-judge district court in San Antonio. The San Antonio judges drew up redistricting plans which were overturned by the United States Supreme Court in January Interim maps were designed and adopted.

15 New Things Redistricting cont. In December of 2011, Dallas County Commissioners Court adopted the new county precinct boundaries based on Commissioner District, Justice of the Peace District and State Board of Education District. On March 20, 2012, Dallas Commissioners Court adopted the new county precinct boundaries based on Interim Precinct Maps from San Antonio Courts of the Congressional, Senate and House Districts.

16 New Things Redistricting cont. Dallas County went from 694 precincts in 2010 to 774 in 2012 with the new census data. Dallas County election officials predict this process of redistricting will be done again in the next year or so, as court cases are settled.

17 New Things Redistricting cont. Dallas County Elections Administration is working a three-phase plan to process the redistricting for the 2012 Elections. Phase 1 included redrawing precinct lines based on the Commissioner, JP, Senate, Congressional, House and State Board of Education districts. Created sub-precincts (aka precinct splits) that address city limits, ISD s, single-member districts, Water/Utilities/Flood Control Districts and DCCCD.

18 New Things Redistricting cont. Phase 2 includes moving 1.1 million Dallas County voters into their new precincts. This entails verifying every voter, census block and address range in each precinct and district. This is done using GIS technology as well as information from the Dallas Central Appraisal District. (current phase) Phase 3 includes mailing out the new voter registration certificates to all 1.1 million voters. The certificates will be mailed by April 25, 2012 and will be printed on yellow-colored cardstock.

19 New Things Redistricting cont. In the redistricting, much of the City of Garland formerly within County Commissioner Mike Cantrell s district #2 has been redistricted to County Commissioner Maurine Dickey s district #1. This includes all precincts in District #2 and most within District #4.

20 New Things District #2 New Precinct Numbers District 2 Old Precinct# New 2012 Precinct# Bradfield Rec. Center Bussey Middle School A ustin Academy Kimberlin Academy Granger Community Center Annex W illia m s E le m and 1729 W atson Elem.

21 New Things District #2 in 2010

22 New Things Council Dist#2 with 2010 lines and 2012 lines

23 New Things District #2 Precinct #2133 Split Split due to Population

24 New Things District #2 in 2012

25 New Things District #4 New Precinct Numbers District 4 Old Precinct # New Precinct # Brandenburg Middle School O'Banion O'Banion Classical Center at Vial Classical Center at Vial Lakeview Centennial High Lakeview Centennial High Lakeview Centennial High Classical Center at Vial

26 New Things District #4 in 2010

27 New Things District #4 with 2010 and 2012 lines

28 New Things District #4 Creation of Precinct #1723 Precinct #1723 created due to Commissioner District redistricting. Precinct #1723 is in Commissioner #1, #2714 remains in Commissioner District #2.

29 New Things District #4 in 2012

30 Election Day Polling Places Saturday, May 12, a.m. to 7 p.m. DISTRICT Precinct # 2012 Polling Places Total of Voters # Bradfield Rec. Center, 1146 Castle DR, Garland, TX Bussey Middle School, 1204 Travis ST, Garland, TX Austin Academy, 1125 Beverly DR, Garland, TX Kimberlin Academy, 1520 Cumberland DR, Garland, TX Granger Community Center Annex, 1310 West Ave F, Garland, TX , 1729 Watson Elementary, 2601 Dairy Road, Garland, TX Williams Elem., 1821 Old Gate LN, Garland, TX * 9882 # Classical Center at Brandenburg, 626 Nickens RD, Garland, TX , 1720 O'Banion Middle School, 700 Birchwood DR, Garland, TX , 1722, 1724 Classical Center At Vial, 126 Creekview, Garland, TX , 3700, 2714 Lakeview Centennial High, 3505 Hayman DR, Garland, TX Florence Park Comm Center, 2501 Whitson Way, Mesquite, TX * 3300 Dunford Rec. Center, 1015 Green Canyon DR, Mesquite, TX * *fewer than 25 registered voters. No charge for polling place under Joint Election Contract

31 New Things Voter ID Bill Voter ID Bill has been denied pre-clearance by the US Department of Justice and has not gone into effect. It is currently in litigation. The processes at the polling places for the Garland City General Election will be the same as in previous years. There has been considerable misinformation about this bill. Rumors persist that voters will be turned away if their voting certificate is expired. This is not true. As of this date, all certificates have expired. If a voter has not moved, a blue certificate should be adequate to vote until his yellow one arrives in the mail. He should still be on the polling place list. To check voter registration status, visit the Dallas County Elections website at