Preparing for the November 2016 Election Texas Secretary of State Elections Division 11/13/2018 Preparing for the November 2016 Election Ashley Fischer July 2016 – Election Law Seminar 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State Elections Division Texas Secretary of State Elections Division

Texas Secretary of State Seminar Seminar talks are scheduled according to election work flow, starting with preparing your ballots and appointing workers and ending with canvassing. All important dates/deadlines will be mentioned in each presentation, and can also be found in the calendar. 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State 108th Day Before Election Day = First Day a Candidate May File 78th Day Before Election Day = Deadline to Order Election Deadline for Candidate to File for Place on Ballot But, before all of this… 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Agenda Expected Turnout Photo Identification Vote Requirement Party Affiliation Election Workers Contracting Order and Notice List of Registered Voters Polling Places Resources 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

March 1 Primary = 4.2 Million Voters!!! Texas Secretary of State Expected Turnout March 1 Primary = 4.2 Million Voters!!! 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

November 2008 Election = 8.1 Million Voters!!! Expected Turnout November 2008 Election = 8.1 Million Voters!!! 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Expected Turnout Registered Voters: 2008 General = 13.58 million 2012 General = 13.65 million 2014 General = 14.03 million 2016 Primary = 14.24 million 2016 General = ???? 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Expected Turnout Plan for high turnout: Encourage voters to vote early!!! Review your polling places. Prepare for printing emergency ballots. Deploy all available equipment. Consider ordering higher quantities of provisional ballots/envelopes. Train on limited and provisional ballots. Train on election judges/clerks on managing lines. 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Photo Identification The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals held an oral argument on May 24… 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Vote Requirement Election for State and County Officers: Plurality: A candidate must receive more votes than any other candidate for the office. Tie Vote: If two or more candidates tie, must hold second election, if not resolved by automatic recount or casting of lots. (2.002) This is different than the primary which requires a majority vote, i.e., more than 50%. 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Vote Requirement County of Texas General Election Sheriff Woody (Law Party) Jessie (Cowgirl Party) Mr. Potato Head (Spud Party) Buzz Lightyear (Space Party) 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Vote Requirement 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Vote Requirement 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Vote Requirement 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Vote Requirement Local Elections You’re Contracting With: Check with the entity, they will either have plurality or majority vote requirement. If plurality, top vote getter(s) win, only a second election if there is a tie vote for winner. If majority, one candidate must receive over 50% (50.01 counts). If no candidate receives majority, must have a runoff election. (2.021) 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Party Affiliation The general election for state and county officers is not a party election. Therefore, it does not matter for which party a voter affiliated with by voting in the primary. 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Party Affiliation Voters may vote for whichever candidate they wish, and are not required to vote for the candidate of the party with which they are affiliated. 1986 Election General Election Governor Bill Clements (Rep) Mark White (Dem) Teresa S. Doyle (Lib) J. Muriel (Grn) 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Election Workers We recommend communicating with your county chairs and remind them that the list of judges for appointment is due by July 31, 2016 in all counties under 500,000. We recommend reminding the County Election Board that they will need to meet to convene regarding supplies and appointment of certain workers. 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Contracting We recommend holding a meeting or communicating with entities in your county that may be contracting with you for November. Recommend meeting in late July or early August. Remind them that county election precincts and polling places must be used - regardless of contracting situation. 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Order and Notice Governor will order the election statewide offices and federal offices. (3.003) County Judge will order the election for county and precinct offices. (3.004) Will receive a memorandum from our office. 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

List of Registered Voters We recommend sending in July/August a letter/reminder to all entities in your county that will be holding an election asking if they redistricted, annexed territory, etc. This will ensure that when they order the list from you, it will be correct. 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Polling Places We recommend that you review your list of polling places as soon as possible. Allows you to work with building owner schedules, e.g. community center. Allows you to work out security plans for schools. Allows you to find alternate locations. Ensures compliance with state and federal law on accessibility. 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State

Texas Secretary of State Resources Calendar Glossary/Acronym List Online Outlines: Cancellation Local Option Outline Joint Elections Handbooks 11/13/2018 Texas Secretary of State