City of Childress special election polling location changed following county’s denial of joint election
CHILDRESS – Following a denial of joint election by the Childress County Commissioners Court, the City of Childress City Council met Monday, Aug. 22 to change the polling locations previously adopted on the second reading of Ordinance 08082022, which orders a special election for Nov. 8 pertaining to proposed city charter amendments.
“We were very excited about this being a joint election with the county,” City Secretary D’Linda Dockery said. “It was going to be a great voter turnout, and having those voters come in so we could get a widespread opinion was the council’s goal. Now, we’re looking at a much smaller turnout.”
With a total of 29 propositions on the ballot, all of which will make up-todate, simplified changes to the current city charter, which was passed in 1917 and last updated in the 1980s, the special election will now be held at the Council Chambers, Childress City Hall, 315 Commerce St. In a letter to the council, County and District Clerk Barbara Spitzer stated that the 29 propositions were “too much” to put on the ballot and would “overwhelm the public,” a claim which the council disputed.
“Rebellion is performed upon acts like this,” Alderperson 1 Gary Clark said.
“They have taken the vote away from the people.”
Arguing that the county is better suited to administer elections, the council also highlighted the inconvenience of two separate polling locations and ballots.
“One ballot creates convenience and ease for voters,” Dockery said, “but we can’t cherry-pick five or six amendments.”
“We’ve been working on this for a long time – it’s monumental,” City Manager Kevin Hodges added. “We’re ready to present this to the public and have them vote on it.”
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8. Early voting will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning Monday, Oct. 24 and ending Friday, Nov. 4, weekdays only.
Applications for ballot by mail should be requested from and mailed to City of Childress, Attn: City Secretary, 315 Commerce St., Childress, TX 79201. Applications must be received by the close of business on Oct. 28.
