Texas House Bill HB1945

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/16/09
• Voted on by House: 4/28/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/15/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/25/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/30/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to the date of the general election for certain political subdivisions.

Impact

The implementation of HB1945 would lead to a consolidation of election dates, which is anticipated to improve voter participation by aligning various local elections to a common date. This uniformity may facilitate easier voting logistics for citizens, as they would have a singular date to remember for casting their ballots in elections concerning both city and educational leadership. The transition would require political subdivisions to adjust their term lengths for officials to comply with the new election schedule.

Summary

House Bill 1945 aims to standardize the election dates for certain political subdivisions in Texas. Specifically, the bill mandates that cities and independent school districts that previously conducted their general elections on particular dates, as authorized by Section 41.0051 of the Election Code, must select a uniform election date for their general elections starting from 2011 onwards. This adjustment is intended to simplify the electoral process and enhance uniformity across local governance.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, the bill might face contention from some local governments that prefer to maintain their unique electoral timetables to reflect community preferences or local circumstances. The repeal of Section 41.0051 in the Election Code could be viewed as a limitation on local autonomy, preventing cities and school districts from tailoring their electoral practices to fit local needs. The validation of previous elections held under this section also raises questions about the implications for ongoing electoral processes and governance.