By: Bettencourt, et al. S.B. No. 985
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 42.0051, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 42.0051. COMBINING CERTAIN PRECINCTS. (a) If changes
in county election precinct boundaries to give effect to a
redistricting plan result in county election precincts with fewer
than 3,000 registered voters, 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 [This section applies only to a county with
a population of less than 1.2 million that does not participate in
the countywide polling place program described by Section 43.007].
(b) A combined precinct under Subsection (a) or (b) is
subject to the maximum population prescribed for a precinct under
Section 42.006.
(c) [(a-1)] In a primary election, the county executive
committee of a political party conducting the primary election, or
for a general or special election for which use of county election
precincts is required, the commissioner's court of a county that
does not participate in the countywide polling place program
described by Section 43.007 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.
(d) [(c)] A combined precinct under Subsection (c) [this
section] may not contain more than 10,000 registered voters.
(e) [(d)] 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.
(f) For the purposes of appointing a presiding election judge
and an alternate presiding judge to a county election precinct
combined under this section, the combined precinct shall be
considered a single precinct and the judges shall be appointed in
accordance with the procedures provided under Chapter 32.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.