By: Springer S.B. No. 924
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to authorizing certain election precincts to
consolidate.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 42.0051, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows: COMBINING CERTAIN PRECINCTS. (a) 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 combine county election precincts
notwithstanding Section 42.005 to avoid unreasonable expenditures
for election equipment, supplies, and personnel.
(b) County election precincts in a county with a population
of 250,000 or more may also be combined under Subsection (a) if the
changes result in county election precincts with 500 or more but
fewer than 750 registered voters.
(cb) A combined precinct under this section is subject to
the maximum population prescribed for a precinct under Section
42.006.
(dc) A combined precinct may not be established if it:
(1) results in a dilution of voting strength of a group
covered by the federal Voting Rights Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1973c et
seq.);
(2) results in a dilution of representation of a group
covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral
process or procedure; or
(3) results in discouraging participation by a group
covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral
process or procedure because of the location of a polling place or
other factors.
SECTION 2. Chapter 42 of the Election Code is amended by
adding Section 42.0052, Election Code, to read as follows:
COMBINING CERTAIN PRECINCTS IN LARGE COUNTIES
(a) In an election for which use of county election
precincts is required in a county with a population of at least
150,000, but not greater than 1.2 million, the commissioners court
may consolidate, on the recommendation of the county election
board, two or more county election precincts into a single
precinct, not withstanding Section 42.005, if the polling place is
located so it will adequately serve the voters of the consolidated
precinct.
(1) A consolidated precinct under this section cannot
exceed 10,000 active registered voters.
(b) A combined precinct may not be established if it:
(1) results in a dilution of voting strength of a group
covered by the federal Voting Rights Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1973c et
seq.);
(2) results in a dilution of representation of a group
covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral
process or procedure; or
(3) results in discouraging participation by a group
covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral
process or procedure because of the location of a polling place or
other factors.
SECTION 3. (a) Subject to Subsection (b) of this section,
this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
(b) This Act takes effect only if legislation proposed by
the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, relating to the use of
banning public schools as polling places is enacted and becomes
law. If legislation described by this section is not enacted or does
not become law, this Act has no effect.