1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. Texas Secretary of State
Expected Turnout
Registered Voters:
2008 General = million
2012 General = million
2014 General = million
2016 Primary = million
2016 General = ????
11/13/2018
Texas Secretary of State

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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