NEW BOSTON, Texas - During a special meeting Friday, the City Council voted to postpone this year's municipal election because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The election had been scheduled for May 2 but will now take place along with other local, state and federal elections on Nov. 3. Voters will choose a new mayor and decide two council seats.
Mayor Johnny Branson is not seeking re-election. Three candidates - Joe Dike, Donald Evans and Ron Humphrey - are contending for the mayor's seat.
Challenger Bill Eggenburger is taking on incumbent Sue Anderson for Place 2 on the council, and incumbent David Turner faces a challenge from Steve Williams for the Place 3 seat.
A stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Gregg Abbott on Tuesday was the deciding factor in postponing the election, according to a news release from the council.
"Because of the Executive Order extending the shelter in place until April 30, 2020, we now have enough information to postpone the election, and a vote prior to this time would have been premature," the release states.