Council passed an ordinance Nov. 2 calling for a special city election to be held Jan. 15. Voters will need to choose someone to fill the council seat of Frederick Frazier, who serves in an at-large capacity on the council. Frazier announced Oct. 15 his intention to run for state representative in House District 61. City Secretary Empress Drane said this is a “triggering action that requires a replacement election.”
Frazier may continue to serve on the council until the election of a new member to replace him, City Attorney Mark Houser said. Whoever is elected to fill Frazier’s seat will serve the remainder of his term, which expires in 2023, Drane said. Because his term has more than one year remaining, Texas law requires his replacement to be elected rather than appointed.
“I’m going to stay here working just like I have been every single day,” Frazier said. “We've worked on several things throughout the city today, trying to bring business to the city and that will stay my focal point the entire time—to bring commerce to the city and good businesses because there's good people here that want that business.”
Mayor George Fuller said he will support Frazier as he runs for the new position and told Frazier he is valued as a council member.
“I'm elated that someone of such caliber, character, integrity, work ethic and passion for the community is going to be pursuing that position,” Fuller said.
Applications are now available on the city’s elections webpage for those interested in running for Frazier’s position and who want to learn more about their eligibility. The first day to file for a place on the ballot is Nov. 3, and the deadline to file is Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.
Early voting for the special election will start Dec. 29 and run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to meeting documents. Voting hours on election day, Jan. 15, will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The deadline to register to vote is Dec. 16.
There will be five polling places voters can cast ballots at for early voting and for election day, documents showed. They are shown on the map below.
