82R10504 ATP-F By: Pena H.B. No. 2588 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to observation of voter assistance by a poll watcher. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 33.057, Election Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 33.057. OBSERVING PREPARATION OF VOTER'S BALLOT. (a) A watcher is entitled to be present at the voting station when a voter is being assisted by an election officer or by a person of the voter's choice, and the watcher is entitled to examine the ballot before it is deposited in the ballot box to determine whether it is prepared in accordance with the voter's wishes. (b) A watcher may not be present at the voting station when a voter is preparing the voter's ballot [or is being assisted by a person of the voter's choice]. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.