2022
L O C A L V O T E R G U I D E GUIDE Candidates and information for local elections
COMPILED BY BEN THOMPSON
D A T E S T O K N O W April 25 First day of early voting
W H E R E T O V O T E
May 7 Election day May 7 Last day to receive ballot by mail (or May 9 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)
Travis County residents can cast their ballots during early voting at any of 31 polling locations throughout the county. On election day, residents have 150 polling locations to choose from. More information can be found at www.
April 26 Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) May 3 Last day of early voting
countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/departments/election SOURCES: TRAVIS COUNTY CLERK COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
A U S T I N P R O P O S I T I O N A
Shall an initiative ordinance be approved to (1) eliminate enforcement of low-level marijuana o enses and (2) ban the use of “no-knock” warrants by Austin police?
PROPOSITION A
What does a yes votemean? Misdemeanor marijuana enforcement would be removed from city code. Austin Police Department o cers would no longer be allowed to cite or arrest people for marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession in most cases and would not be able to use city resources for THC testing. Police could still seize suspected marijuana, but would not be able to charge most suspects for a marijuana o ense. Exceptions could be made in relation to violent felonies or high-priority felony narcotics cases. Additionally, police would be required to announce their presence and wait at least 15 seconds before executing a search warrant. APD o cers would be banned from requesting or participating in “no-knock” search warrants, or warrants carried out without advance warning, and could be disciplined for violations.
What does a no votemean? City code related to misdemeanor marijuana enforcement would not change. No-knock warrants would remain an option for Austin police in limited situations.
Current enforcement Based on previous City Council direction, APD’s general orders covering marijuana enforcement already re ect the proposed code update. O cers are currently instructed against arrests or citations for mar- ijuana possession unless in connection to a felony.
Warrant requirements Today, no-knock search warrants are only allowed in situations when o cer safety is deemed a concern. No-knock warrants must be approved by a command- ing o cer and judge, and logged in an APD database within three days after a warrant is served.
SOURCES: AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, CITY OF AUSTIN COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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