83R9664 PAM-D
By: Simpson H.J.R. No. 103
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment to abolish the requirement
that certain counties continue to be divided into not fewer than
four precincts used to elect justices of the peace and constables.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 18(a), Article V, Texas Constitution, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) Each county in the State with a population of 50,000 or
more, according to the most recent federal census, from time to
time, for the convenience of the people, shall be divided into not
less than four and not more than eight precincts. Each county in
the State with a population of 18,000 or more but less than 50,000,
according to the most recent federal census, from time to time, for
the convenience of the people, shall be divided into not less than
two and not more than eight precincts. Each county in the State
with a population of less than 18,000, according to the most recent
federal census, from time to time, for the convenience of the
people, shall be designated as a single precinct or, if the
Commissioners Court determines that the county needs more than one
precinct, shall be divided into not more than four precincts.
Notwithstanding the population requirements of this subsection,
Chambers County and Randall County, from time to time, for the
convenience of the people, shall be divided into not less than two
and not more than six precincts. A division or designation under
this subsection shall be made by the Commissioners Court provided
for by this Constitution. Except as provided by this section, in
each such precinct there shall be elected one Justice of the Peace
and one Constable, each of whom shall hold his office for four years
and until his successor shall be elected and qualified; provided
that in a county with a population of less than 150,000, according
to the most recent federal census, in any precinct in which there
may be a city of 18,000 or more inhabitants, there shall be elected
two Justices of the Peace, and in a county with a population of
150,000 or more, according to the most recent federal census, each
precinct may contain more than one Justice of the Peace Court.
[Notwithstanding the population requirements of this subsection,
any county that is divided into four or more precincts on November
2, 1999, shall continue to be divided into not less than four
precincts.]
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5, 2013.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment abolishing the
requirement that a county divided into four or more precincts on
November 2, 1999, continue to be divided into not fewer than four
precincts used to elect justices of the peace and constables."