Summary: Index • How and When - Filing dates, documents, and procedures • Who: Qualifications for candidates running of Willow Park elected offices. • Why run for City Office. / Starting Wednesday, 15 January 2025 until Friday, 14 February 2025, 5 p.m. is the time for filing your application to run for Mayor or one of two (2) City Council seats in the 03 May 2025 City Municipal Election.
• Latest Update: posted 15 January, 2025
• Note: Willow Park Civics is about Willow Park but is NOT associated with or managed by the City of Willow Park.
Elections 2025, How to Run for Elected Office in Willow Park.
Index: • How and When - Filing dates, documents, and procedures; • Who: Qualifications for candidates running of Willow Park elected offices. • Why run for City Office.
”Whenever the people are well-informed,
they can be trusted with their own government."
Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Richard Price on January 8, 1789
“I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.”
Thomas Jefferson, Letter to W. C. Jarvis, September 28, 1820
How and When: Filing dates, documents, and procedures
[1, 4]
Willow Park Citizens have until 14 February, 2025, Friday at 5:00 p.m. to file an application to run for the following City Elected Positions:
• Mayor of Willow Park
• Councilmember Place No. 1.
• Councilmember Place No. 2.
The term for Mayor, Councilmember Place No. 1, and Councilmember Place No. 2 is for two years ending May 2027.
• City of Willow Park [2, 3, 4]
• Additional information [1]
Who: Qualifications for candidates running of Willow Park elected offies.
Requirements for Filing for Candidacy [1, 3, 4]
• Independent Candidacy Required. A candidate for local office may appear on the ballot only as an independent candidate. [Sec. 143.002]
• Registered to Vote in Area of Office Sought [4]
• Must be Texas Resident for 12 months. [4]
• Must be 18 years old or older. [4]
• Application Required
a. In writing.
b. Signed and sworn to by the candidate. NOTE: The oath must be administered by a person authorized to administer an oath under Texas law. [Sec. 602.002, Government Code] TIP: The city secretary may administer the oath for applications for a place on the ballot for city offices. [Sec. 602.002(15)]
• All candidates must file a Campaign Treasurer Appointment [3]
Why
Someone suggested, to bookend the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, there should be a Statue of Responsibilities off the US West Coast, to remind us that our Citizen rights will only be available if we also implement our Citizen responsibilities.
The United States “Founding Fathers” used the first 10 amendments of the US Constitution to document the Bill of Rights for US Citizens.
The Founders continued to document the responsibilities that accompany these rights -- the two foundational obligations each citizen is obliged to perform. These Citizen obligations maintain Citizen rights.
First, each Citizen had a duty to stay informed of the civic issues affecting the community in order be an educated and informed voting participant, and to engage in civil discourse at all levels: local, state, and national.
“I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.”
Thomas Jefferson, Letter to W. C. Jarvis, September 28, 1820
Second, each Citizen has a duty to actively participate in government.
• Participate in the democratic process.
• Participate in your local community.
• Support and defend the Constitution.
• Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
• Respect the rights, opinions, and beliefs of others.
• Pay income and other taxes honestly, on time, to federal, state, and local authorities.
• Serve on a jury when called.
• Defend the country if the need should arise.
"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains
to bring it to light."
George Washington
Willow Park Civics Sources and Resources
[1] Willow Park Civics Additional Resources
TBD INDEX Willow Park Civics Blog >
Blog Index: Election Calendar, Voter Registration, Voter Card, Sample Ballot, How to run for elected position, General Resources
• Texas Ethics Commission > Executive Branch Online Training > Online training for filers
• Texas Municipal League > A Guide to Becoming A City Official
[2] City of Willow Park > Voting and Elections > 2025 General Election Information
[3] Texas Ethics Commission [Focues on Financial Requirments]
Executive Branch Online Training
> Texas Ethics Commission > Executive Branch Online Training > Online Training for Filers
[4] Texas Secretary of State > Candidate’s Guide for Local Political Subdivisions
NOTE: Willow Park is a Type B General-law-city] Texas State
• Constitution and Statues > LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE > TITLE 2. ORGANIZATION OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT >SUBTITLE B. MUNICIPAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT > CHAPTER > 23. ALDERMANIC FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN TYPE B GENERAL-LAW MUNICIPALITY > SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
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