81R873 CS-D
By: Zerwas H.B. No. 496
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the procedure for holding a special election.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 4, Election Code, is amended by adding
Section 4.009 to read as follows:
Sec. 4.009. ADDITIONAL NOTICE REQUIREMENTS: SPECIAL
ELECTIONS. (a) In addition to any other notice given under Section
4.003, notice of a special election must be given by one or more of
the following methods:
(1) by mailing, not earlier than 10 days or not later
than five days before the date of the special election, a copy of
the notice required under Section 4.003 to each registered voter of
the territory that is covered by the special election and is in the
jurisdiction of the authority responsible for giving the notice; or
(2) by announcements, to begin not earlier than seven
days before the date of the special election:
(A) during hourly news segments on one or more
local radio stations broadcasting from the territory that is
covered by the election; or
(B) during the evening news broadcasts of one or
more local television affiliates broadcasting from the territory
that is covered by the election.
(b) An announcement under this section must comply with the
content requirements under Section 4.004.
SECTION 2. Section 43.002, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) Unless the commissioners court consolidates two or more
election precincts under Section 42.008, the designated polling
place for a special election shall be the polling place used in the
most recent general election for state and county officers.
SECTION 3. Section 43.004, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) Unless the commissioners court consolidates two or more
election precincts under Section 42.008, the designated polling
place for a special election shall be the polling place used in the
most recent general election of the political subdivision.
SECTION 4. Section 43.005, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 43.005. DESIGNATION OF LOCATION: CERTAIN SPECIAL
ELECTIONS. The authority establishing election precincts under
Section 42.062 shall, to the extent practicable, designate the
location of the polling place used in the most recent general
election for state and county officers as the polling place for each
precinct.
SECTION 5. Section 43.061(b), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) If the location of a polling place changes after notice
of an election is given under Section 4.003 or 4.009, the county
clerk shall give notice of the change not later than the earlier of:
(1) 24 hours after the location is changed; or
(2) 72 hours before the polls open on election day.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.