§ 2 — Elections

Sec. 2. - Elections.

That in each voting precinct of the City as the same may be legally defined, shall be established and arranged at least one voting place, and where two or more voting places are established, they shall be so located as to be most convenient to the greatest number of voters, with a distinct set of election officers, ballot boxes and registration books for each voting place; provided, the voter shall vote in the district or precinct of his residence. The city council shall make all necessary regulations concerning elections; the manner and method of holding the same. Such regulation, however, shall be in keeping with the provisions of this Act, and shall be in keeping with and consistent with the provisions of the State law applicable to elections and municipalities, in so far as the same may be practicable, and the city council shall provide for the examination and counting of the returns of elections, declarations of the result thereof, and the issuance of proper certificates to the successful candidates; and it is hereby made the duty of the council to examine and count the returns at its first regular meeting after the election shall be held, or if no regular meeting shall be held within one week after an election is held it is hereby made the duty of the mayor to call a special meeting of the council for the purpose of counting the vote and determining the result of the election within one week after the election is held, and the officers declared to be elected at such election shall be entitled to qualify immediately after the declaration of the result of the election, upon taking the oath of office prescribed by law. The city council may, consistent with the other provisions of this Act, and conforming to all the provisions of the State law regulating primary elections in cities and towns in so far as the same may be applicable, prescribe the manner and method of holding primary elections by all political parties or political organizations of any kind whatsoever, and to determine the rules that shall obtain with respect to the representation the respective parties or candidates may be entitled to at the polls; may prescribe an official ballot, official returns, etc., and the expense of all primary elections held for the purpose of nominating candidates of any political party or organization for city offices shall be borne and paid for by the city of Houston. (Act of 1905; amended by Act of April 13, 1905)