By: Springer S.B. No. 924
(Hayes)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the combination of certain election precincts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 42.006(a), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) Except as [otherwise] provided by this section and
Section 42.0051, a county election precinct must contain at least
100 but not more than 5,000 registered voters.
SECTION 2. Section 42.0051, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
read as follows:
(a) This section applies only to a county with a population
of less than 1.2 million.
(a-1) In a general or special election for which use of
county election precincts is required, the commissioner's court [If
changes in county election precinct boundaries to give effect to a
redistricting plan result in county election precincts with a
number of registered voters less than 500, a commissioners court
for a general or special election, or for a primary election the
county executive committee of a political party conducting a
primary election,] may, on the recommendation of the county
election board, combine county election precincts notwithstanding
Section 42.005 if:
(1) the commissioners court cannot secure a suitable
polling place location under Section 43.031; and
(2) the location of the combined polling place
adequately serves the voters of the combined precinct [to avoid
unreasonable expenditures for election equipment, supplies, and
personnel].
(c) A combined precinct under this section may not contain
more than 10,000 registered voters [is subject to the maximum
population prescribed for a precinct under Section 42.006].
SECTION 3. Section 42.0051(b), Election Code, is repealed.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.