§ 3.02. Qualifications.

Each member of the city council shall in addition to other qualifications prescribed by state law be a citizen of the United States of America and a resident citizen of the City of Athens, shall be qualified to vote in the State of Texas and the City of Athens, shall be eighteen (18) years of age, shall have been such resident citizen of the City of Athens for a period of not less than six (6) months immediately preceding the date of the regular filing deadline for candidates['] application for a place on the ballot; provided, however, that any person with the above qualifications except as to residence, who shall have been a resident for a period of not less than twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date of the regular filing deadline for candidates application for a place on the ballot of any of the territory not formerly within the corporate limits of said city but which is annexed under the provisions of section 1.03 of this charter shall be eligible for said office. If the mayor or any councilman fails to maintain all of the foregoing qualifications, or shall be absent from three (3) consecutive regularly scheduled meetings without valid excuse, the city council must at its next regular meeting declare a vacancy to exist and shall fill said vacancy as set forth in this charter.

(Approved at referendum 8-13-94)