Austin City Charter Documents

Austinites for Geographic Representation is running its campaign to support Proposition 3 under the “Trust Austin” name. AGR is distributing 100,000 door-hangars to door knobs all over town. This graphic displays both sides of the door-hangar. Proposition 3 was put on the ballot through a citizens petition. It would require election of council members from 10 geographic districts and only the mayor to be elected at-large. Council districts would be drawn by an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.

The text of Mayor Lee Leffingwell’s automated telephone call made October 31, 2012, was transcribed from a recording and verified by The Austin Bulldog.

Article 11, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution dictates that no city charter shall be altered, amended or repealed oftener than every two years.

The attached three-page file contains a cover letter that attorney Steve Bickerstaff wrote to advise the Austin City Council about actions needed to implement the 10-1 system of council elections approved by voters November 6. The last two pages are a proposed ordinance for implementing the transition to single-member districts, even-year November elections, and staggered four-year terms, as required by Proposition 2 (also approved by voters November 6, 2012).

Senate Bill 100 was enacted in the 82nd Regular Session of the Texas Legislature in 2011. Among other things, SB 100 authorized the City of Austin to move its next election to November 6, 2012, and adjust the terms of office for the mayor and council members to conform to the new election date. Further, SB 100 allows the City of Austin to opt for election of all council members at the same election, superseding City Charter requirements for council elections to be conducted in May and terms to be staggered.