Aug. 13 update: The Round Rock City Council voted 6-0 Thursday, Aug. 13, to approve an ordinance to move the May 2020 election to Nov. 3. Councilmember Tammy Young was absent due to a death in her family.
Original: The Round Rock City Council voted Thursday, Aug. 6, to direct the City Attorney to prepare an amended election ordinance to hold City elections in November 2020. The ordinance will be on the City Council’s Aug. 13 agenda.
The vote was 7-0 in a special called session.
The timing of City elections has been in question since Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation in March that effectively canceled the May elections due to concerns related to COVID-19. City Council elections have been held in May for more than 40 years.
The City Council on July 9 voted 6-1 to hold the May 2020 election in May 2021, to conform to City Charter and City ordinance requirements. On July 30, the City received a letter from the Attorney General stating the City had a legal obligation to hold its election on Nov. 3.
Prior to the vote, Mayor Craig Morgan recounted the series of events that unfolded regarding the election date, and said the City Council has been consistent in its efforts to keep decisions on a local level.
“There will be other battles to fight when it comes to local control, but this is not the one,” Morgan said. “This is not the time to take our City down that road. That said, tonight’s meeting and our meeting on July 23 is a perfect example of why it’s important to maintain and preserve our own self governance at the local level. Citizens were able to engage with us in person, by phone, by email and even in meetings. This is what it’s about. Although we may not be in total agreement, we have to move forward for the betterment of all the citizens of Round Rock.”
The ballot will include three City Council seats and seven proposed amendments to the City Charter. Voters will cast ballots for Mayor, Place 1 and Place 4 on the City Council. Mayor Morgan will run unopposed. Michelle Ly and Tina Steiner are running for Place 1. Current Place 1 Councilmember Tammy Young is not seeking re-election. Place 4 Councilmember Will Peckham is seeking re-election. He will be challenged by Frank Ortega.
