Item 3F Failed 4-7

Item 3F — Thursday, July 30, 2026

Current official agenda wording

Approve the following items for inclusion in a November 3, 2026, special charter amendment election: F) providing that a petition for an election to recall a Council Member other than the Mayor must contain valid signatures of at least 15% of the qualified voters of the respective Council district, instead of the current 10%, and clarifying that the affidavit on the recall petition must be signed by a petition circulator;

"The motion to adopt item three F fails and item three F will not be on the ballot" — meeting transcript (unofficial)

What got said

Attributed statements from the meeting transcript, not official agenda values.

Watson amendment restored the recall threshold from 15% back to 10% (passed 10-1)
Harper-Madison opposed, warning low-turnout districts could target Black council members
After amendment, several members who had opposed the 15% now voted against the item entirely

The roll call

City of Austin headshots stay on the council page. The City's terms allow personal use of austintexas.gov images, so this roll call shows initials.

Failed 4-7

Member records (11)