Bill Text: TX SB1566 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the elections for which countywide polling places may be used.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-14 - Referred to State Affairs [SB1566 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SB1566-Introduced.html

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86R11980 ATP-F
By: Fallon S.B. No. 1566

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the elections for which countywide polling places may
be used.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 43.004(c), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) If a political subdivision holds an election jointly
with an election described by Section 43.007(a)(1), (2), or (3)[,
or (4)] and is required to use countywide polling places under
Section 43.007, the governing body of the political subdivision may
designate as the polling places for any required runoff election
only the polling places located in the territory or in and near the
territory of the political subdivision where eligible voters
reside.
SECTION 2. Sections 43.007(a) and (k), Election Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) The secretary of state shall implement a program to
allow each commissioners court participating in the program to
eliminate county election precinct polling places and establish
countywide polling places for:
(1) [each general election for state and county
officers;
[(2)] each election held on the uniform election date
in May and any resulting runoff;
(2) [(3)] each election on a proposed constitutional
amendment that is not held on the same date as the general election
for state and county officers;
(3) [(4)] each primary election and runoff primary
election if[:
[(A)] the county chair or county executive
committee of each political party participating in a joint primary
election under Section 172.126 agrees to the use of countywide
polling places; [or
[(B) the county chair or county executive
committee of each political party required to nominate candidates
by primary election agrees to use the same countywide polling
places;] and
(4) [(5)] each election of a political subdivision
located in the county that is held jointly with an election
described by Subdivision (1), (2), or (3)[, or (4)].
(k) Each county that previously participated in a program
under this section is authorized to continue participation in the
program for future elections held on the uniform election date in
May and any resulting runoff, elections on proposed constitutional
amendments that are not held on the same date as the general
election for state and county officers, and primary elections and
runoff primary elections as described by Subsection (a) if:
(1) the commissioners court of the county approves
participation in the program; and
(2) the secretary of state determines the county's
participation in the program was successful.
SECTION 3. Section 32.002(c-1), Election Code, is repealed.
SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an election ordered on or after the effective date of this Act.
An election ordered before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect when the election was ordered, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.