Conroe City Councilmen Challenged on Legality of Candidate Filing Paperwork
Ninth District Court of Appeals denies request to remove them from the ballot.
March 16, 2024
Conroe City Council with Councilman Place 1 Todd Yancey (back left) and Councilman Place 2 Curt Maddux (front left).
On March 15, the Ninth District Court of Appeals denied the Petition for Writ of Mandamus filed by Shana Arthur asking for her opponent in the May 4 Uniform Election, Councilman Place 2 Curt Maddux, along with candidate for mayor, Councilman Place 1 Todd Yancey, to be disqualified from the ballot.
The Petition alleges that Maddux and Yancey were out of town when their candidate filing paperwork was notarized in violation of Section 141.031 of the Texas Election Code, which requires candidates to sign candidate filing paperwork in person in the presence of a notary.
The Ninth District Court of Appeals stated that removing Maddux and Yancey from the ballot would not be in the public’s best interest and that the decision on who will serve as elected officials in Conroe must be made by voters and “not technicalities leading to default. Provisions that restrict the right to hold office must be strictly construed against ineligibility.”
A second suit on the same claims also was filed in Montgomery County’s 457th District Court by Arthur and one of Yancey’s challengers for mayor, Duke Coon. Local District Judge Vincent Santini recused himself from the case, which is being presided over by District Judge Albert McCaig. During a March 15 hearing, Judge McCaig postponed the case pending the ruling from the higher court.
Election Day is May 4 and Early Voting begins April 22.
How to Research Candidates
Candidates for Mayor of Conroe:
Todd Yancey
Duke W. Coon
Kristin Wilkinson-Guardino
Candidates for Conroe City Council Place 1:
David Hairel
Susan Johnson
Carl White
Thomas R. Bersch
Candidates for Conroe City Council Place 2:
Shana Arthur
Betty Boren Avery
Curt Maddux