Amarillo City Council canvasses June runoff election results despite public concerns

The Amarillo City Council held a special meeting on June 16, 2025, primarily to canvas the results of the June 7 runoff election. The meeting commenced at 4:05 PM, with only two council members present, which raised questions about quorum requirements under Texas election law.

The first agenda item was public comment, where community members were invited to share their opinions. City Secretary facilitated this segment, emphasizing the importance of public input. One speaker, Claudette Smith, addressed the council with a significant concern regarding the election process. She urged the council not to proceed with canvassing the election results, claiming that the integrity of the process had been compromised. Smith highlighted issues with surveillance in the tabulation room, alleging that cameras were improperly positioned and later turned off, which she described as a breach of transparency and legal protocol.

The meeting's focus on the election results and the concerns raised by Smith underscored the community's engagement and the importance of election integrity. The council's next steps regarding the canvassing process remain to be seen as they consider the implications of the public comments received.