Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 758	House Author:  Denny et al.
Effective:  9-1-05	Senate Sponsor:  Harris

            House Bill 758 amends the Election Code to require the secretary of state to implement a pilot program to evaluate the use of countywide polling places for general elections for state and county officers as an alternative to the polling place located in each county election precinct.  The commissioners court of a county that desires to participate in the program must hold a public hearing on such participation and submit a transcript or electronic recording of the public comments made at the hearing to the secretary of state, who may consider the comments when selecting counties for the pilot program.  The bill requires the secretary during the course of the program to provide for an audit of direct recording electronic (DRE) voting units before and after the election, and during the election if practicable, and to select for the program one or more counties that have held a public hearing, have implemented a computerized voter registration list that allows an election officer at the polling place to verify that a voter has not otherwise voted in the election, use DRE voting machines, and have appropriate technological capabilities as determined by the secretary.  The bill also requires the secretary, no later than January 1, 2007, to file a report with the legislature that includes the secretary's recommendations on the future use of countywide polling places and suggestions for permanent statutory authority regarding such polling places.  The pilot program expires January 2, 2007.