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|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 87R9719 SLB-D | |
| 2 | 2 | By: Swanson H.B. No. 2501 | |
| 3 | 3 | ||
| 4 | 4 | ||
| 5 | 5 | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED | |
| 6 | 6 | AN ACT | |
| 7 | 7 | relating to an option on ballots to choose not to vote in a race. | |
| 8 | 8 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | |
| 9 | 9 | SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 52, Election Code, is | |
| 10 | 10 | amended by adding Section 52.0685 to read as follows: | |
| 11 | 11 | Sec. 52.0685. OPTION TO AFFIRMATIVELY CHOOSE NOT TO VOTE. | |
| 12 | 12 | (a) Voters shall be given the opportunity to select "I choose not to | |
| 13 | 13 | vote in this race" instead of voting for the candidates appearing on | |
| 14 | 14 | the ballot or the list of write-in candidates for each race. | |
| 15 | 15 | (b) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form and | |
| 16 | 16 | manner of placing the option "I choose not to vote in this race" on | |
| 17 | 17 | the ballot. | |
| 18 | 18 | SECTION 2. Section 52.070, Election Code, is amended by | |
| 19 | 19 | amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as | |
| 20 | 20 | follows: | |
| 21 | 21 | (b) Immediately below "OFFICIAL BALLOT," the following | |
| 22 | 22 | instruction shall be printed: "Vote for the candidate of your | |
| 23 | 23 | choice in each race by placing an 'X' in the square beside the | |
| 24 | 24 | candidate's name or by placing an 'X' in the square beside "I choose | |
| 25 | 25 | not to vote in this race." | |
| 26 | 26 | (b-1) A square shall be printed to the left of the option "I | |
| 27 | 27 | choose not to vote in this race" for each office to be voted on in | |
| 28 | 28 | the election. | |
| 29 | 29 | SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |