Arlington voters scored a victory when a “ridiculous” lawsuit brought to reverse their decision to term-limit the mayor and city council was thrown out this week.

A proposal to impose term limits on the mayor and city council of Arlington was approved by 61 percent of voters in the 2018 midterm elections. Those elected to city council will be limited to three two-year terms or a maximum of six years in each elected position. This means a council member could serve six years on city council and six years as mayor.

The limitations apply retroactively, and two longtime council members will not be eligible to run again when their terms expire this May.

An Arlington resident filed the lawsuit against the new term limits, claiming they violated the law and would force two other currently serving council members out of office this May, even though their terms don’t expire until 2020. Attorneys representing the City of Arlington stated the law did not have such intent and wasn’t being enforced with such intention. Warren Norred, an attorney representing activist Zack Maxwell, who helped spearhead the petition putting term limits on the 2018 ballot, called the lawsuit “sham litigation.”

The lawsuit was thrown out this Tuesday by District Judge John E. Neil.

Norred posted on social media praising the victory for Arlington voters. “Ridiculous case dismissed. Carry on with normal elections, citizens of Arlington, without any further interference.”

Arlington’s municipal elections are May 4, 2019.

Robert Montoya

Born in Houston, Robert Montoya is an investigative reporter for Texas Scorecard. He believes transparency is the obligation of government.

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