87R6418 MLH-D
By: Reynolds H.B. No. 2082
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to polling places in a precinct.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 43.001, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 43.001. NUMBER OF [ONE] POLLING PLACES [PLACE] IN EACH
PRECINCT. (a) Except as provided by this section, each [Each]
election precinct established for an election shall be served by a
single polling place located within the boundary of the precinct.
(b) In a county with a population of more than 500,000, each
election precinct established for an election may be served by more
than one polling place if:
(1) each polling place is located within the boundary
of the precinct; and
(2) consideration is given to population density in
selecting the location of each polling place, so that each polling
place serves approximately the same number of voters.
SECTION 2. Sections 43.002(a) and (b), Election Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) For a general or special election in which the use of
county election precincts is required, the county clerk shall
recommend the location of the polling place or places for each
county election precinct, except as provided by Subsection (b).
The commissioners court shall designate the recommended location as
a [the] polling place unless the court finds good cause to reject
the recommendation. In that case, the commissioners court shall
designate another location.
(b) If county election precincts are consolidated, the
commissioners court shall designate the location of the polling
place or places for the consolidated precinct.
SECTION 3. Section 43.003, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 43.003. DESIGNATION OF LOCATION: PRIMARY ELECTION.
The county chair of a political party holding a primary election
shall designate the location of the polling place or places for each
election precinct in the primary unless the precinct is one that is
consolidated. In that case, the county executive committee shall
designate the location or locations.
SECTION 4. Section 43.004(a), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) The governing body of each political subdivision
authorized to hold elections, other than a county, shall designate
the location of the polling place or places for each of its election
precincts.
SECTION 5. Section 43.005, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 43.005. DESIGNATION OF LOCATION: CERTAIN SPECIAL
ELECTIONS. The authority establishing election precincts under
Section 42.062 shall designate the location of the polling place or
places for each precinct.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.