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Freeport council orders recall election for mayor on Nov. 3 after petition disputes
Summary
The Freeport City Council voted unanimously July 6 to adopt ordinance 2026-27-67 ordering a recall election for mayor on Nov. 3, 2026, following public concerns about petition procedures and charter compliance. The council emphasized the vote allows residents to decide, not a removal.
The Freeport City Council voted unanimously July 6 to approve ordinance number 2026-27-67, ordering a recall election for the office of mayor to be held Nov. 3, 2026.
Council made the decision after the chair read a memorandum summarizing Article 6 of the City of Freeport Home Rule Charter and related procedural concerns raised by members of the public about how petition signatures were collected and witnessed. The chair said the vote was not intended as a finding of legal fault but to give voters the opportunity to decide at the ballot box.
Public commenters tied to the recall process urged action or raised complaints earlier in the meeting. Manning Rollerson charged the Brazosport Water Authority with lacking transparency for Freeport residents; Sam Reyna alleged the city attorney had conducted private consultations that could implicate the Texas Open Meetings Act and referenced a prior lawsuit and possible penalties. Those claims were aired during citizen comment but did not produce a formal legal determination at the meeting.
Councilman Davis made the motion to approve the ordinance and Councilman McDonald seconded. After a brief discussion about election deadlines and expected costs, the council called the question and approved the ordinance by voice vote.
The chair emphasized compliance with the charter in the council's handling of prior petition matters and said that, under Section 6.07 and related charter provisions, the council's duty is to order the election if petition requirements are met. The chair also noted that Section 6.11 provides for county-court involvement if the council fails to act after a sufficient petition.
Next steps: the ordinance sets the election date for the next uniform election date under state law. Administrative deadlines remain for election logistics and public notice; staff and the city secretary will handle the required filings and schedules under the Texas election code.
At the meeting the council did not adjudicate the factual accuracy of all public accusations; those assertions remain the statements of the commenters and were not resolved on the record.
