82R8609 JRJ-D
By: Farias H.B. No. 1351
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to Voter Education Week.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 31.015 to read as follows:
Sec. 31.015. VOTER EDUCATION WEEK. (a) To educate Texans
about the importance of voting to a healthy democracy, the third
week of September is designated as Voter Education Week.
(b) The secretary of state shall develop a program that
raises awareness about voter registration, upcoming elections,
balloting procedures, and the availability of resources to answer
voting-related questions. The secretary of state may distribute
sample ballots, record public service announcements, develop
programs for use in public schools, libraries, and institutions of
higher education, and utilize other public awareness methods as
part of the program. The secretary of state, in cooperation with
voter registrars, may promote Voter Education Week through a
coordinated program that meets the requirements of this subsection.
Voter registrars shall primarily direct program efforts at
populations not served by the secretary of state's efforts or
populations not registered, but eligible to register, to vote.
(c) Not later than January 31 of each odd-numbered year, the
secretary of state shall report on the implementation of this
section and the effectiveness of the program in increasing voter
registration and turnout to the governor, lieutenant governor, and
speaker of the house of representatives.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.