88R21762 LRM-D
By: Swanson H.B. No. 153
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 153:
By: DeAyala C.S.H.B. No. 153
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a ballot option to not vote for any candidate.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 52, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 52.0685 to read as follows:
Sec. 52.0685. OPTION TO AFFIRMATIVELY CHOOSE NOT TO VOTE.
(a) Voters shall be given the opportunity to select "I choose not to
vote in this race" instead of voting for the candidates appearing on
the ballot or the list of write-in candidates for each race.
(b) A vote under this section does not count for the purpose
of determining which candidate received a majority of votes.
(c) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form and
manner of placing the option "I choose not to vote in this race" on
the ballot.
SECTION 2. Sections 52.070(a) and (b), Election Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) A shape for voting shall be printed to the left of:
(1) each candidate's name on a ballot; and
(2) the option "I choose not to vote in this race" for
each office to be voted on in the election.
(b) Immediately below "OFFICIAL BALLOT," the following
instruction shall be printed: "Vote for the candidate of your
choice in each race by placing an 'X' or filling in the shape beside
the candidate's name or beside "I choose not to vote in this race"."
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.