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EARLY VOTING:
Click here for a printable copy of Early Voting Locations.
October 24, 2022 thru October 28, 2022 (Monday - Friday) 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
October 29, 2022 (Saturday) 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
October 30, 2022 (Sunday) 12:00 pm noon - 6:00 pm
October 31, 2022 thru November 4, 2022 (Monday - Friday) 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
ELECTION DAY VOTING:
November 8, 2022 (Tuesday) - ELECTION DAY Voting 7:00 am - 7:00 pm at one of the Election Day polling locations.
The City of Harker Heights will have a joint election with Bell County on November 8, 2022. This is a State General Election and a Special Election for the City of Harker Heights. On the Harker Heights ballot there will be a Proposition for a proposed citizen initiative ordinance to restrict low-level marijuana enforcement in the City of Harker Heights.
BACKGROUND:
June 3, 2022 – A citizen initiative petition was filed with the City Secretary’s Office.
June 13, 2022 – The City Secretary determined the citizen initiative petition to be sufficient.
June 28, 2022 – The citizen initiative petition was certified to the City Council and reading of the proposed ordinance was completed.
July 26, 2022 – Held public hearing and final action taken by Council. The Proposed citizen initiative ordinance failed to pass as written.
August 2, 2022 – The proposed citizen initiative ordinance was submitted to the electors in accordance with Section 8.08 of the City of Harker Heights Charter. A joint election was ordered to be held with Bell County on November 8, 2022, uniform election date.
ON THE BALLOT: CITY OF HARKER HEIGHTS
Proposition A: Shall an initiative ordinance be approved to eliminate enforcement of misdemeanor laws relating to marijuana possession within the City of Harker Heights except where such charges are a part of an investigation of a felony level narcotics case that has been designated as a high priority investigation by a Harker Heights police commander, assistant chief of police or chief of police or of a violent felony case ; To require a Harker Heights police officer to write a detailed report in the event marijuana is seized and to release the individual in possession of the marijuana if possession of marijuana is the sole charge; To prohibit Harker Heights police officers from issuing any charge for possession of marijuana except where such charges are a part of an investigation of a felony level narcotics case that has been designated as a high priority investigation by a Harker Heights police commander, assistant chief of police or chief of police or of a violent felony case; To prohibit the filing of charges for possession of marijuana except where such charges are a part of an investigation of a felony level narcotics case that has been designated as a high priority investigation by a Harker Heights police commander, assistant chief of police or chief of police or of a violent felony case; To prohibit the filing of charges for possession of drug residue or drug paraphernalia in lieu of a possession of marijuana charge; To prohibit use of City funds or personnel to request, conduct or obtain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) testing of any suspected cannabis related substance, except in connection with a felony level narcotics case that has been designated as a high priority investigation by a Harker Heights police commander, assistant chief of police or chief of police or of a violent felony case; To prohibit Harker Heights police from using the odor of marijuana or hemp as probable cause for search or seizure, except in connection with a felony level narcotics case that has been designated as a high priority investigation by a Harker Heights police commander, assistant chief of police or chief of police or of a violent felony case; To require the City Manager and Chief of Police to ensure that police officers receive adequate training regarding the provisions of this ordinance; To require modification of City policies to comply with this ordinance; To require regular public meetings to discuss development of policies, procedures and practices relating to this ordinance; To require discipline for any Harker Heights police officer who violates any provisions of this ordinance; and to require the City Manager, or his or her designee, to report to the City Council annually regarding the implementation of this ordinance?
FOR THE ORDINANCE _______
AGAINST THE ORDINANCE _______
Proposición A: ¿Se deberá aprobar una ordenanza por iniciativa para eliminar la fiscalización de leyes de contravenciones vinculadas con la posesión de marihuana dentro de la Ciudad de Harker Heights salvo cuando dichas acusaciones sean parte de una investigación de una causa de narcóticos del nivel de un delito mayor que haya sido designada como una investigación de alta prioridad por un comandante de la policía, subjefe de la policía o jefe de la policía de Harker Heights o de una causa de delito mayor violento; Para requerir que un oficial de la policía de Harker Heights elabore un informe detallado en caso de decomiso de marihuana y libere al individuo que posea la marihuana si la posesión de la marihuana es la única acusación; Para prohibirles a los oficiales de la policía de Harker Heights que efectúen cualquier acusación por posesión de marihuana salvo cuando dichas acusaciones sean parte de una investigación de una causa de narcóticos del nivel de un delito mayor que haya sido designada como una investigación de alta prioridad por un comandante de la policía, subjefe de la policía o jefe de la policía de Harker Heights o de una causa de delito mayor violento; Para prohibir la presentación de acusaciones por posesión de marihuana salvo cuando dichas acusaciones sean parte de una investigación de una causa de narcóticos del nivel de un delito mayor que haya sido designada como una investigación de alta prioridad por un comandante de la policía, subjefe de la policía o jefe de la policía de Harker Heights o de una causa de delito mayor violento; Para prohibir la presentación de acusaciones por posesión de residuos de drogas o parafernalia de drogas en lugar de una acusación por posesión de marihuana; Para prohibir el uso de fondos o personal de la Ciudad para solicitar, realizar o conseguir pruebas de tetrahidrocannabinol (THC) de cualquier sustancia relacionada con cannabis salvo en conexión con una causa de narcóticos del nivel de un delito mayor que haya sido designada como una investigación de alta prioridad por un comandante de la policía, subjefe de la policía o jefe de la policía de Harker Heights o de una causa de delito mayor violento; Para prohibir a la policía de Harker Heights el uso del olor de la marihuana o cáñamo como indicio razonable para requisa o decomiso, salvo en conexión con una causa de narcóticos del nivel de un delito mayor que haya sido designada como una investigación de alta prioridad por un comandante de la policía, subjefe de la policía o jefe de la policía de Harker Heights o de una causa de delito mayor violento; Para requerir que el Administrador de la Ciudad y el Jefe de Policía garanticen que los oficiales de la policía reciban capacitación adecuada respecto de las disposiciones de esta ordenanza; Para requerir la modificación de normas de la Ciudad para acatar esta ordenanza; Para requerir asambleas públicas ordinarias para debatir el desarrollo de normas, procedimientos y prácticas vinculados con esta ordenanza; Para requerir medidas disciplinarias para cualquier oficial de la policía de Harker Heights que infrinja alguna de las disposiciones de esta ordenanza; y para requerirle al Administrador/a de la Ciudad, o su representante designado, que informe anualmente al Consejo Municipal respecto de la implementación de esta ordenanza?
A FAVOR DE LA ORDENANZA _________
EN CONTRA DE LA ORDENANZA _________
IMPORTANT LINKS FOR THE NOVEMBER 8th ELECTION
https://www.bellcountytx.com/departments/elections/ballot_samples.php
For further details about the November 8th Election, visit the Bell County Elections website at www.bellcountytx.com/departments/elections or call (254) 933-5120.