Early Voting in San Angelo Begins in Charter Election

Early voting has started for the Nov. 3 election that will determine if the City of San Angelo’s charter should be amended, stated a press release Monday.

According to the press release, the ballot includes eight propositions, including possible changes to the term limits for City Council members, how much they should be compensated and how San Angelo’s police chief should be selected.

To cast an early vote, San Angelo citizens can visit the first floor of the Edd B. Keyes Building, 113 W. Beauregard Ave. Early voting polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19-23 and Oct. 26-28, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 29-30. All registered voters of San Angelo are eligible to cast a ballot.

On Election Day, twenty polling places will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The ballot and all other election information are available at cosatx.us/elections.

The eight propositions to vote on include the following:

• Proposition 1 would lengthen City Council terms from two to four years.
• Proposition 2 would limit City Council service to eight consecutive years, excluding partial terms.
• Proposition 3 would clarify the qualifications to run for City Council.
• Proposition 4 would refer conflict of interest questions regarding Council members to the city attorney for a legal opinion.
• Proposition 5 would increase compensation to City Council members.
• Proposition 6 would require that elections to fill vacancies occur on state-mandated election dates.
• Proposition 7 would allow for more timely means of notifying those involved in an initiative and referendum effort.
• Proposition 8 would change the police chief’s office from an elective to an appointed position.

The City charter serves as the City of San Angelo’s constitution, broadly outlining what San Angelo’s municipal government may and may not do. It can be amended no more often than once every two years, stated the press release.