S.B. No. 578
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. Subsection (a), Section 43.007, 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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 578 passed the Senate on
March 27, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0;
May 22, 2013, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 23, 2013, House
granted request of the Senate; May 25, 2013, Senate adopted
Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 29,
Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 578 passed the House, with
amendments, on May 17, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 134,
Nays 0, two present not voting; May 23, 2013, House granted request
of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
May 25, 2013, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 2, two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor