New filing requirements in place for May election

Candidates seeking elected office with the city must follow a new filing requirement in the upcoming general election in May.

The May 2 election will be for mayor and City Council Places 5 and 6.

The new requirement is based on the city charter in accordance with the Texas Election Code.

City Secretary Kristi Morrow said each candidate’s application for a place on the ballot must be accompanied by one of two options:

• a nonrefundable filing fee of $200; or

• a petition signed by no less than 25 qualified voters of the city or 0.5% of the total votes received in the city by all candidates for mayor in the most recent mayoral special election.

Filing opens Jan. 15 and ends Feb. 14, according to the city’s website.