None of the candidates running for city council in District 3 received 50 percent of the votes, signaling a runoff election slated for Saturday, June 10. Early voting will also be available. 

Denton native Jason Cole received 543 total votes, not enough to compete with the other two candidates. The runoff in June will be between retired businessman Paul Meltzer and Robson Ranch real estate agent Don Duff.

Precinct 4003 (Robson's precinct) garnered 1,204 votes for Duff, however, he only earned 35 additional votes throughout the rest of District 3. Meltzer, on the other hand, received 397 votes from Precinct 4003 and 702 votes throughout the rest of District 3. Cole earned 254 votes from Precinct 4003 and 289 elsewhere. 

“I am really disappointed that I did not get 50 percent,” Duff said. “Most of the voters did not connect me with the tax freeze. I feel like if they would have connected me with the tax freeze, it would have been different.” 

According to Duff, in 2016 there were 154 new properties built at Robson Ranch and there will be close to 175 built in 2017. The starting price for the smallest home model at Robson Ranch is $279,999. Each home requires $20,000-50,000 worth of upgrades. 

“There are a lot of baby boomers getting older, they have plenty of money and they want exactly what they want. They don’t even look at resales, they just want their last home.” 

Duff is going to concentrate more on Robson Ranch for the runoff. Only about half of the people in Robson Ranch voted and Duff believes he can reach the other half before June 10. 

Meltzer wants people to know that they need to stay active. 

“We certainly don’t want anyone who’s been engaged to disengage,” he says. “I’ve learned a lot from Jason Cole and his understanding of the struggles that small businesses face in Denton.”

Cole & Meltzer's views overlap in many respects and Meltzer says they welcome support from all corners.

“I am very encouraged by the results and feel that our message of smart growth, fiscal discipline, and building community consensus has resonated with many people,” Meltzer said.

If you live in District 3, you can vote for Paul Meltzer or Don Duff to represent you during the runoff election in June.

The last day to register to vote in the runoff election is Wednesday, May 10. Members of Indivisible Denton will be set up throughout town getting people informed and registered to vote. They will be stationed at Aura Coffee, different bars on Fry St. and other high-traffic locations. 

Early voting will take place on Tuesday, May 30 through Saturday, June 3 from 8 AM - 5 PM, on Monday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 6 between 7 AM - 7 PM. All early voting can be done at Denton County Elections Administration Office located at 701 Kimberly Drive.

Election Day is Saturday, June 10, 2017, and you can vote from 7 AM - 7 PM at North Lakes Recreation Park located at 2001 W Windsor Dr.

Header image design by Christopher Rodgers