81R2921 JRJ-D
By: Pena H.B. No. 2036
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of countywide voting locations by certain
counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 43, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 43.009 to read as follows:
Sec. 43.009. COUNTYWIDE POLLING PLACE. (a) A
commissioners court may provide for a voter who resides in the
county to vote at any precinct polling place located within the
county for:
(1) each general election for state and county
officers;
(2) each countywide election held on the uniform
election date in May; and
(3) each election of a political subdivision located
in the county that is held jointly with an election described by
Subdivision (1) or (2).
(b) The secretary of state shall provide for an audit of the
direct recording electronic voting units of a county that operates
polling places under this section before and after the election,
and during the election to the extent such an audit is practicable.
(c) In order to operate polling places in the manner
described by this section, the commissioners court must receive
approval from the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall
approve each county that:
(1) has implemented a computerized voter registration
list that allows an election officer at the polling place to verify
that a voter has not previously voted in the election; and
(2) uses direct recording electronic voting machines
or is otherwise determined by the secretary of state to have the
appropriate technological capabilities.
(d) Each polling place must allow a voter to vote in the same
elections in which the voter would be entitled to vote in the county
election precinct in which the voter resides.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.