Texas Senate Bill SB1402

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/15/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/22/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/15/09
• Voted on by House: 5/26/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/29/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to requiring certain political subdivisions to enter a contract with the county elections administrator to perform election services.

Impact

This legislation aims to streamline election services in larger counties, potentially creating a more uniform approach to managing elections across various political subdivisions. By mandating contracts with the county elections administrator, the bill intends to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of elections, especially in areas that may previously have operated independently. This move could alleviate burdens on political subdivisions that may lack the resources or expertise to conduct elections effectively.

Summary

SB1402 establishes a requirement for certain political subdivisions in Texas to enter into a contract with the county elections administrator for the provision of election services. The bill applies specifically to political subdivisions located in counties with populations exceeding 500,000 and without a municipality that has a population over 150,000. Under the new regulation, if a political subdivision receives a petition from registered voters—amounting to one percent of the votes cast in the last general election—it must request this contract to ensure that their election services are managed by the county elections administrator.

Contention

However, the bill may face objections regarding the autonomy of local governments. Critics may argue that requiring political subdivisions to contract election services to the county elections administrator diminishes local control over the electoral process. Additionally, there might be concerns about the potential complexities that arise from such centralized authority, particularly in handling local elections and responding to community-specific needs. Stakeholders may also debate the adequacy of the staffing and resources available at the county level to handle the potentially increased responsibilities brought on by the requirements of SB1402.