Texas House Bill HB2046

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to an election services contract between a county elections administrator and a political party.

Impact

This bill is expected to have a notable impact on how election services are contracted at the county level. By mandating that county election officers must offer to contract under consistent terms with all political parties, the bill promotes an equitable process. This ensures that all political parties have access to necessary election services, potentially increasing fairness during primary elections by reducing opportunities for bias or favoritism in the contracting process.

Summary

House Bill 2046 relates to the election services contract between a county elections administrator and political parties involved in primary elections. The bill amends and transfers sections of the Election Code, specifically Sections 31.092 and 31.093, to facilitate these contracts. These amendments aim to clarify the responsibilities and rights of the county election officer in regards to election services offered to political parties, ensuring that there is a standardized approach to handling contracts during primary elections across various counties.

Contention

While the bill simplifies the process of contracting for election services, it also raises questions about the oversight role of county chairs. The stipulation that county election officers cannot restrict the supervision of primary elections could lead to concerns among some political parties about the independence and transparency of election processes. Debates could arise over the balance of power between county election officials and political party administrators, particularly in tight election contests.