Because no candidate polled more than 50% in the special election for Princeton City Council Place 4, a June 13 runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters from the Saturday, May 2 election. 

Complete, unofficial returns from Collin County Elections showed only 476 votes were cast in the contest to succeed Councilmember Ryan Gerfers, who resigned for health reasons. 

With 18,923 eligible registered voters in Princeton, the turnout was 2.52%, said Collin County Elections Administrator Kaleb Breaux.

Results are not official until canvassed by the Princeton City Council. 

Mayor Eugene Escobar Jr. expressed disappointment in the turnout, saying, “I want to improve how we engage with the community and increase participation in our elections so we can actually bring the changes you are wanting.”

The mayor requested feedback from voters and scheduled a town hall for noon, Saturday, May 23.

Collin County Elections reported recently appointed Planning & Zoning Commissioner Jan Goria received 41.68% of ballots cast with Home Rule Charter Committee Chair Jaisen Rutledge, former chair of the Princeton Corporate Development Corporation, receiving 33.05%.

“For everyone that showed support for me during this campaign I want to say thank you!” Rutledge said. “Even if you did not vote for me appreciate you getting out and making your voice heard!! The job is not finished, and I’m still committed to putting people first and seeing Princeton strong!”

Sharad Ramani received 21.68% of the vote and Hassan Abdulkareem polled 3.58%, Collin County Elections reported.

Three of the candidates received the majority of their votes from mail-in ballots or early voting but Rutledge received 84 votes on Election Day following a total of 73 by mail or in early balloting.

Collin County Elections said Goria received 116 mail and early votes and 82 on Election Day, Ramani received 63 mail and early votes and 40 on Election Day and Abdulkareem had 4 votes on Election Day following early and mail ballots totaling 13 votes. 

The runoff election is required under Chapter 2 of the Texas Election Code:

 “Sec. 2.021.  RUNOFF ELECTION REQUIRED.  If no candidate for a particular office receives the vote necessary to be elected in an election requiring a majority vote, a runoff election for that office is required.”

Also:

“Sec. 2.023.  RUNOFF CANDIDATES.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c), the candidates in a runoff election are the candidates who receive the highest and second highest number of votes in the main election or who tie for the highest number of votes.

“(b)  If more than two candidates tie for the highest number of votes in the main election, an automatic recount shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 216.  If the recount does not resolve the tie, the tied candidates shall cast lots to determine which two are to be the runoff candidates.

“(c)  If two or more candidates tie for the second highest number of votes in the main election, an automatic recount shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 216.  If the recount does not resolve the tie, the tied candidates shall cast lots to determine which one is to be the second candidate in the runoff election.”

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