Freeport council canvasses May elections, administers oaths to newly elected members

The Freeport City Council on May 11 unanimously approved ordinances canvassing the certified returns from the May 2, 2026 elections and formally declared the results.

Mayor (speaker 1) said the canvass relied on certified returns provided by the Brazoria County Elections Office. For Council position A, the city secretary reported Larry McDonald received 40 votes and Melanie Oldham received 27; the council voted to approve the canvass. The council also canvassed results from the charter election: Amendment A passed 249–30 and Amendment D passed 256–37, the city secretary reported, and the council unanimously approved the ordinance to declare those results.

The canvass is a ministerial duty under state law, City Attorney (speaker 19) told the council while answering questions about whether council members could refuse to accept certified results. The attorney advised that once the county certifies results, state law requires the council to vote to accept those certified returns and that a contrary vote could lead to a court ordering the council to comply.

Following the canvass, newly elected council members for Ward A and Ward C were administered the oath of office and signed required affidavits. Doctor Kelly (speaker 3) presided over the swearing and the council paused briefly for photographs.

The council also selected Winston Rossello as mayor pro tem by unanimous vote.

What happens next: the official canvass ordinances and certified results will be posted on the city website per agenda notice; newly sworn council members will assume official duties immediately.