Edinburg to Cancel Elections?

As stated in The Monitor's March 17, 2009 article "Edinburg may cancel election after candidates run unopposed," City Secretary Myra Garza said she will soon ask the City Council to cancel the city's May 9 election - which would have forced some employees to work that Saturday - after three candidates for political office ran unopposed.

A deadline to file as a write-in candidate passed Monday, assuring former mayor Richard Garcia and incumbent councilmen Noe Garza and Gus Garcia will return to office when May 10 rolls around.

So what now? Well, here it is ....

1. City Secretary Myra Garza must certify in writing that a candidate is unopposed for election to an office if, were the election held, only the votes cast for that candidate in the election for that office may be counted.
2. The certification must be delivered to the City Council as soon as possible after the filing deadlines for placement on the ballot and list of write-in candidates, which already passed.
3. Upon receipt the City Council may declare each unopposed candidate elected to the office by order or ordinance.
4. If the declaration is made, then the election is cancelled.
5. If the election is cancelled, a copy of the order or ordinance shall be posted on election day at each polling place that would have been used in the election.
6. A certificate of election must be issued to each candidate in the same manner and at the same time as provided for a candidate elected at the election.
7. The candidate must qualify for the office in the same manner as provided for a candidate elected at the election.

What happens if any of these are not followed? The "election" is void.

Is this clear sailing yet? No. Joe and the E-News rats can still sabotage the election.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and pesticides out to make sure these crooked politicians don't intentionally sabotage the electoral process.