For Immediate Release

February 20, 2015

Equal Rights Petitions Invalid

The City of Plano has determined that a recently circulated Equal Rights petition is invalid and will not
move forward. Planos City Secretary was unable to certify the petition because it failed to meet State
and local requirements for validation.
On December 8, 2014, the Plano City Council approved an Equal Rights Ordinance, expanding the
Citys policy to prohibit discrimination against the following classes: U.S. Military/Veteran status,
genetic information, sexual orientation and gender identity. The petition called for the City to either
repeal that ordinance or submit it to the citizens for a vote.
The petition contained false information regarding the Equal Rights Ordinance, claiming it regulates
bathrooms. The ordinance does not regulate bathrooms. By making this false representation, the
Equal Rights petition asked signees to repeal an ordinance that does not exist.
Texas Election Code requires petitions submitted in cities located in two counties to include a column
for the signees county of voter registration. Since Plano is in two counties, that column was
mandatory. However, none of the petition pages included it.
The Plano City Charter requires petitions to include a copy of the legislation sought to be repealed or
changed. The Equal Rights petition did not include an attachment of the ordinance.
On December 30th, three weeks prior to the deadline for the Equal Rights petition to be turned in, the
City of Plano sent an email to the groups organizing the petition drive, including Texas Values, the U.S.
Pastor Council and Plano Citizens United, to clarify information. It outlined problematic issues with the
petition, including those aforementioned. The email read, The City is providing information in an
attempt to facilitate accuracy in referendum petitions to avoid any potential disputes regarding validity of
signatures. Links were provided to the City of Plano Charter, Texas Election Code and petition
information on the Secretary of State website. The City made a good faith attempt to avoid dispute and
facilitate accuracy. Nonetheless, not a single page of submitted petitions was valid.
Plano City Manager Bruce Glasscock and City Attorney Paige Mims will be available to the media this
afternoon between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM at the Plano Municipal Center. Please schedule through
Steve Stoler, Director of Media Relations.
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Editors Note: Attachments include certification document, clarification email sent to petitioners.

Media Contacts
Steve Stoler
Director
Media Relations

Ph. (972) 941-7321

Mo. (972) 345-1393
Stevest@plano.gov

About Plano
Plano, Texas, is the largest city in Collin County with a population of 269,330 as of January 2014. Incorporated in 1873, the city is located 20
miles north of Dallas. Plano was recently named the third Best Run City in America by 24/7 Wall Street. The City offers a high quality of life
that includes: nationally-recognized schools, award-winning parks and sustainability initiatives, designation as one of Americas safest cities by
Forbes magazine, and a wide variety of multi-cultural neighborhoods appealing to families, young singles and retirees. Plano is home to many
major international corporations and Fortune 500 headquarters such as JC Penney, Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, Rent-A-Center, Cinemark
Holdings, Denbury Resources and Alliance Data Systems. The dynamic community features excellent restaurants, vibrant shopping and
entertainment venues, a lively historic downtown district and active local arts scene. Easy access to DART light rail and major highways
makes Plano a convenient place to live, work and visit. To learn more about Plano, go to our website at plano.gov.