Qualifications for Elected Officials

Elected Officials Requirements:


  • The candidate must be 21 years of age or older
  • The candidate must have been a district resident for at least one year preceding election
  • A district council member shall live in and maintain a residence in the district to which elected
  • Verify with the City Secretary residency by presenting a valid Texas Driver's License or Texas Identification Card
  • Present a current Voter Registration Card to the City Secretary
  • No council member shall hold any other city office or city employment while serving as a council member, or hold any paid city employment within two years thereafter

Any person desiring to have his or her name placed upon the official ballot for any election may do so by filing an application for a place on the ballot with the City Secretary. 


CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS


A candidate for city council must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older, a city resident for at least one (1) year preceding election; and as a district council member shall during the term of office maintain residency in the district to which they represent. The City Secretary shall verify such residency by viewing a valid Texas Driver's License or Texas Identification Card and a current Voter Registration Card. No council member shall hold any other city office or city employment while serving as a council member or hold any paid city employment within two (2) years thereafter.
 
 APPLICATION FOR A PLACE ON THE BALLOT


To file as a candidate, a completed application must be filed with the City Secretary. The application form includes spaces for the candidate to indicate which city council place is being sought; the candidate's permanent residence address; the length of the candidate's continuous residency in the state, city and in city council district.
 
 CAMPAIGN TREASURER APPOINTMENT


The first thing a person who plans to run for City Council must do is appoint a campaign treasurer and file the required Texas Ethics Commission, Campaign Treasurer Appointment form with the City Secretary.


The Texas Election Code requires that each candidate appoint a campaign treasurer. The Election Code defines candidate as "a person who knowingly and willingly takes affirmative action for the purpose of gaining nomination or election to public office or for the purpose of satisfying financial obligations incurred by the person in connection with the campaign for nomination or election." A person becomes a candidate when a public announcement or statement is made of an-intent to run for office, soliciting support by letter or other mode of communication, accepting campaign contributions or making campaign expenditures, or an application is filed for a place on the ballot.


 CANDIDATE INFORMATION


Candidate containing general information about the city, necessary forms for filing and general election related information may be obtained from the Office of City Secretary. If you have questions regarding the city council election process please contact the City Secretary's Office 281-275-2730 or email citysec@sugarlandtx.gov