A Question of Eligibility

Is Bettina Olivares eligible to serve as the City Representative for District 8?

Here’s the part of the Municipal Code that specifies the Qualifications for Office:

Section 2.2 – NOMINATIONS.

A. Qualifications for Office. In addition to the requirements prescribed by law, the following shall be the qualifications for City elective offices:

1. Candidates for Mayor shall have been City residents for the 12 months next preceding the election, and must be at least 21 years of age;

2. Candidates for Representative shall have been City residents for the 12 months next preceding the election, and residents of the district for 6 months next preceding the election, and must be at least 21 years of age;

3. Candidates for Municipal Judge shall have been City residents for the 12 months next preceding the election, licensed to practice law in Texas, and at least 21 years of age;

4. Candidates for Mayor and Representative shall be eligible for that elective office only when holding that office for a term of four years shall not result in the candidate exceeding the term limitation established in Section 2.2 C.

And here’s a record of Ms. Olivares’ voter registration record I received today from the Texas Secretary of State Elections Division:

As you can see, Ms. Olivares’ voter registration at 5757 Las Brisas Circle, El Paso, Texas 79905, didn’t end till 07/12/2022. That address is in District 2.

The General Election was 11/08/2022. Even with my public education, I can tell that there’s no six months between the dates.

You’d think that someone at the City would have verified her eligibility.

Curious, innit?

It’ll probably take a lawsuit to figure this one out.