01 - Candidate MemoM E M O R A N D U M
TO: All Candidates
FROM: Joni Underwood, City Clerk
DATE: January 18, 2023
SUBJECT: MAY 6, 2023 GENERAL ELECTION
I have prepared the attached Candidates Packet in an effort to provide you with
necessary information and forms, as well as requirements of the Texas Ethics
Commission pertaining to campaign contributions and expenditures.
During the May 6, 2023 General Election, the citizens of Nederland will be electing two
(2) councilmembers – one to represent Ward I, and one to represent Ward III. Anyone
interested in being a candidate for a council position must ha ve resided in the city for
at least one year prior to Election Day. In accordance with the City of Nederland Home
Rule Charter §11.02 any person having the qualifications required by the Charter may
place his name in nomination as a candidate by filing with the City Clerk an application
accompanied by a non-refundable filing fee of $25.00. A petition signed by a minimum
number of twenty-five (25) qualified voters residing in the ward for which you are
seeking candidacy may be filed in lieu of a filing fee. Additional election information
may also be accessed on the Secretary of State’s website at
http://www.sos.state.tx.us.
Included in this packet is the Application for a Place on the City of Nederland General
Election, Petition for a Place on the City General Electi on, Texas Ethics Commission
2023 Filing Schedule for Candidates and Officeholders, and several different
contribution and expenditure reports. If you plan to use any type of political
advertising please take this opportunity to review the “Political Advertising – What You
Need to Know” section of this packet that was prepared by the Texas Ethics
Commission.
If you find that you need additional reports for filing your campaign and expenditure
reports they can be accessed at the Texas Ethics Commission’s website at
http://www.ethics.state.tx.us. I will be happy to assist you in obtaining additional
forms if you are unable to retrieve them from the Internet.
Also included in the packet is a calendar of importan t dates that will be of importance
to you in the coming weeks.
We realize the weeks ahead will be hectic ones for you. However, we encourage you
to initially take time and thoroughly read the attached information, paying particular
attention to the Texas Ethics Commission campaign contribution and expenditure
reporting procedures. Before any political activity can begin a campaign treasurer
must be appointed and on file in my office.
All financial reports are filed with my office and I cannot overemphasize the importance
of adhering to the reporting procedures. It is the duty of the candidate to assure their
reports are filed in a timely manner.
We appreciate your interest in our municipal government and trust this period will be
a positive and exciting experience for you, your family, and supporters. My office
stands ready to assist you in any way possible. If I can be of service to you, please
do not hesitate to call me at 723.1503 or stop by my office.