- Tie votes, Runoffs
A runoff election is required if the political subdivision requires majority vote (rather than plurality) and no candidate has received over half the total votes (e.g., 50.1% is more than half). (2.021). The general rule is that runoff elections are ordered for a date between 20 and 45 days after the final canvass. (2.025).
We encourage political subdivisions to confer with their county election officer before setting a runoff election date if they are contracting with the county, or expect to be leasing county voting equipment in order to ensure the availability of that equipment.
Tie votes for officers are governed by Section 2.002 of the Code. In an election requiring a plurality vote (i.e., the person with the most votes wins, even if it is not more than 50% of the votes cast), if two or more candidates for the same office tie for the number of votes required to be elected, a second election to fill the office shall be held. Confirmation of a tie vote should occur based on a political subdivision’s canvassed election returns. However, before the second election is ordered, the tying candidates may agree to cast lots or withdraw to resolve the tie. (2.002). If the tie vote is not resolved by a withdrawal or lot drawing, an automatic recount shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 216 of the Code before the second election is held. If the automatic recount resolves the tie, the second election is not held. If the tie is unresolved following the automatic recount, the authority responsible for ordering the first election shall then order the second election (not later than the fifth day after the date the automatic recount is completed or the final canvass following the automatic recount is completed). The second election shall not be held earlier than the 20th day or later than the 30th day after the date the automatic recount is completed or the final canvass following the automatic recount is completed, if applicable. For more details, see Tex. Elec. Code § 2.002 and Chapter 216.
A tie vote in a runoff election (based on official canvassed returns) triggers an automatic recount under Chapter 216 of the Code. If the result is still tied, the election is resolved by the casting of lots under Section 2.028 of the Code.
A tie vote in an election on a measure (i.e., a proposition election with for-against votes) means the measure failed, because there were not more votes For than Against. There is no automatic recount procedure, since Chapter 216 of the Code, which regulates automatic recounts, only applies to candidate elections.
See part III.B. of the Texas Secretary of State’s post-election procedures memo for a discussion about tie votes: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/advisory2020-33.shtml.
Q: What is the difference between a “majority” vote and a “plurality” vote
A: In an election that requires a majority vote, a candidate for a particular office must receive more than 50 percent of the votes cast for that office. Tex. Elec. Code §2.021. A
majority vote is required in the following three instances: (1) elections in a city with a population of 200,000 or more (Tex. Elec. Code §275.002); (2) an election for the members of a governing body in a city that has increased the terms of office for its elected officials to more than two years (Tex. Const. Art. XI, §11); and (3) a home rule city with a charter provision requiring a majority vote (Tex. Const. Art. XI, §11). If no candidate receives the vote necessary to be elected to a particular office in an election requiring a majority vote, a runoff between the two candidates with the highest number of votes in that particular race is required. Id. §2.021.
In all cities except those described above, candidates are elected by plurality vote. This means that a candidate for a particular office must receive more votes than any other candidate running for that office. Id. §2.001. No runoff election is required in an election that requires a plurality vote unless two or more candidates for the same office tie for the number of votes required to be elected. Id. §2.002(a). A runoff election is not required if the tying candidates agree to cast lots to resolve the tie or a tying candidate files a written, signed, and acknowledged statement of withdrawal. Id. §2.002(f) and (g).
The city of Bruceville-Eddy election requires plurality.
Election Results from Last night (this is not final until McLennan County registers it)
Example of the City of Bruceville Eddy November 3, 2020 Election Ballot
Early Voting (updated 10-6-2020)
City Council Members listed in order as on the ballot
Ricky Wiggins
Dale Williams
Cecil Griffin
James. E. Tolbert
Linda Owens
Terri Henson
City council Unexpired Term
Marc Fowler
Freda Bass
REVISED ORDER OF GENERAL ELECTION 2020 Bruceville Eddy
LIST OF Election Day VOTE CENTERS
Voters who are voting by mail can look up their Mail Ballot Activity to see if the Elections Office has received their ballot by mail application, if the Elections Office has mailed them a ballot and/or if their ballot by mail has been returned to our office.
It went live today at www.mclennanvotes.com on the main page, under the November 3, 2020 Joint General Election tab and under Voting by Mail tab. The link is called Mail Ballot Activity Lookup – it is in English and Spanish
Anyone that has questions about campaign signs or election questions should contact the Texas Ethics commission
Anyone requesting a list of registered voters in the city limits please contact www.mclennanvotes.com
The request form can be downloaded Here Request for Information Form
The Texas Secretary of State’s Office has released Advisory 2020-29- NEW LAW: HB 25 (2017) Elimination of Straight-Party Voting.
Elimination of Straight-Party Voting
House Bill 25, passed during the 85th Legislative Session, eliminated straight-party voting effective September 1, 2020.
If you wish to vote for all of the candidates affiliated with one party, you should select each candidate one at a time on your ballot.
El Proyecto de Ley 25 de la Cámara de Representantes, aprobado durante la 85a Sesión Legislativa, eliminó la votación de partido único a partir del 1 de septiembre de 2020.
Si desea votar por todos los candidatos afiliados a un partido, debe seleccionar a cada candidato uno a la vez en su boleta