BBA. Election of Board Members

Election of Regents shall be by at large positions in accordance with Texas law. Either two or three Regents shall be elected at each election, the number of Regents, depending upon that required to constitute a Board of seven (7) members to serve terms of six years.

A candidate for any position may have his or her name printed on a ballot for election to any position to be filled at each regular election by filing a written statement, signed by the candidate, with the secretary of the Board not later than 4:00 p.m. of the 45th day before the day of the election. An application may not be filed earlier than the 30th day before the date of the filing deadline. The application must state the number of the position for which the candidate is filing or the name of the incumbent member of the Board holding the position sought. The application shall include all statutorily required information, including a statement that the candidate is aware of the nepotism law. The location on the ballot of the names of the candidates for each position shall be chosen by lot by the Board. The candidate shall be eligible to run for only one position in each election. [Education Code 130.082(g); Election Code 31.0021, 141.031 (4)]

Before a candidate can have his or her name placed on the ballot, he or she must execute and have notarized the loyalty oath.

The election of Regents of the College district shall be on the first Saturday in May in even-numbered years.

The Board shall call the election not later than the 45th day before election day. Notice of election shall be published at least once, not earlier than the 30th day or later than the tenth day before election day, in a newspaper published within the College District’s boundaries. The notice shall state the nature and date of the election, the location of each polling place, and the hours the polls are open. The Board shall retain a copy of the published notice that contains the name of the newspaper and the date of publication for 60 days after election day.

The Board shall provide for absentee voting in Board elections as prescribed by law.

If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast for all candidates for a position, then the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall run against each other for the position. The runoff election for all positions shall be held not earlier than the 20th day or later than the 30th day after the date the final canvass of the main election is completed and shall be ordered, notice given and held, as for regular elections.

Upon election, the Regent shall take the official oath of office and file it with the Chairman of the Board.

The Board, being subject to the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, shall submit to the U.S. Justice Department for clearance as soon as possible after enactment, but at least 60 days before an election, any changes that would affect elections. Such clearance is necessary before the election may be held.

Candidates for the Board shall file the designation of a campaign treasurer and all required financial statements with the Secretary of the Board in accordance with applicable law and directives from the Texas Ethics Commission.

Revised: 3/10/05