86R788 ATP-D
By: Ortega H.B. No. 326
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a strategic plan by the secretary of state to increase
voter turnout.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 31.014 to read as follows:
Sec. 31.014. VOTER TURNOUT STRATEGIC PLAN. (a) The
secretary of state shall prepare and implement a strategic plan
aimed at increasing voter turnout.
(b) In developing the plan, the secretary of state shall use
evidence-based methods of increasing voter turnout and shall
collaborate with institutions of higher education to determine the
most appropriate measures of success and develop performance
benchmarks for the increase in voter turnout.
(c) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
the secretary of state shall report on the progress of the strategic
plan under this section in increasing voter turnout using the most
recently updated data to the standing committee of each house of the
legislature with primary jurisdiction over election matters.
(d) This section expires January 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. The secretary of state shall adopt the strategic
plan under Section 31.014, Election Code, as added by this Act, not
later than January 1, 2020, to be fully implemented not later than
December 31, 2024.
SECTION 3. 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, 2019.