Nov. 3 general election for Copperas Cove city council, CCISD board of trustees elections could be canceled

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press 

Filing for the Nov. 3 general election closes on Monday, Aug. 17 at 5 p.m., for the Copperas Cove city council as well as the Copperas Cove Independent School District board of trustees.

As of Thursday afternoon, there is one candidate for each of the four races, for two places on the Copperas Cove city council and two places on the CCISD board of trustees. 

However, If no one else files to run for office by Monday's deadline, both the Copperas Cove city council and CCISD board of trustees could likely cancel the Nov. 3 elections and then declare each of the four candidates winners. 

Place 6 councilman incumbent E. Marc Payne filed to run on Tuesday, Aug. 11, for a second three-year term in office. 

Place 7 councilman incumbent Jack Smith filed early to run for what could be his first full term in office. In 2019, Smith ran for office and won a special election to fill a vacancy for Place 7. 

Copperas Cove’s public information officer, Kevin Keller, explained that the city’s general election for city council could be canceled as long as it is after the write-in deadline of August 24. 

“A certificate of unopposed status would have to be completed and delivered, and council would be required to vote to cancel the election and certify the unopposed candidates as elected,” Keller said. 

The process for canceling the CCISD board of trustees election would be similar. 

But, if another candidate files to run for city council or the board of trustees prior to Monday's deadline, that particular election would still take place.  

The Copperas Cove ISD board of trustees has two positions open, Place 6, currently held by Jim Copeland, and Place 7, currently held by Dr. Karen Harrison, with Dr. Harrison filing for reelection. Retired CCISD educator John Gallen has filed to run for Place 6. 

Application packets may be picked up at the City Secretary’s office and at the CCISD Administration Building. 

The forms must be completed and submitted to the city secretary’s office for city council election. The city secretary’s office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Forms are available online at the city secretary’s page of the city website, www.copperascovetx.gov/city_secretary and then under “Election Information.” 

Copperas Cove ISD is open to accept candidate applications Monday through Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. On Monday, Aug. 17, Copperas Cove ISD will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to receive applications to be on the ballot. 

Candidate applications may be mailed or hand-delivered to Copperas Cove ISD administration, at 408 S. Main St. For additional election information, accommodations for visual impairment, or assistance in completing forms, contact Monica Hall, CCISD Elections Officer, at 254-547-1227, or athallm@ccisd.com.