S.B. No. 985
 
 
 
 
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) is subject to
  the maximum population prescribed for a precinct under Section
  42.006.
         (c) [(a-1)]  In a county that does not participate in the
  countywide polling place program described by Section 43.007, for a
  general or special election for which use of county election
  precincts is required, the commissioner's court [may,] on the
  recommendation of the county election board, or for a primary
  election for which use of county election precincts is required,
  the county executive committee of a political party conducting the
  primary election, may 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.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 985 passed the Senate on
  April 2, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 12, 2025, by the
  following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 985 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 7, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 94,
  Nays 52, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor