83R8314 ATP-F
By: Sheffield of Coryell, H.B. No. 1518
Miller of Fort Bend, Ashby
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to use of countywide polling places for certain elections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 43.004, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) If a political subdivision holds an election jointly
with an election described by Section 43.007(a)(1), (2), (3), or
(4) and is required to use countywide polling places under Section
43.007, the governing body of the political subdivision may
designate as the polling places for any required runoff election
only the polling places located in the territory or in and near the
territory of the political subdivision where eligible voters
reside.
SECTION 2. Section 43.007(a), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) The secretary of state shall implement a program to
allow each commissioners court participating in the program to
eliminate county election precinct polling places and establish
countywide polling places for:
(1) each general election for state and county
officers;
(2) each election held on the uniform election date in
May;
(3) each election on a proposed constitutional
amendment; [and]
(4) each primary election and runoff primary election
if:
(A) the county chair or county executive
committee of each political party participating in a joint primary
election under Section 172.126 agrees to the use of countywide
polling places; or
(B) the county chair or county executive
committee of each political party required to nominate candidates
by primary election agrees to use the same countywide polling
places; and
(5) each election of a political subdivision located
in the county that is held jointly with an election described by
Subdivision (1), (2), (3), or (4) [(3)].
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.