MAD S.B. 82 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS ELECTIONS S.B. 82 By: Ellis (Denny) 4-8-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, voters are prohibited from having in their possession, at the time they vote, a written communication from another person or organization identifying one or more candidates for whom the voter has agreed to vote, or for whom the author of the communication has requested the voter to vote. In some Texas counties voters may be asked to decide in up to 100 races. Allowing voters the option of a slate card could prove to be an efficient tool in promoting voter participation. S.B. 82 repeals Section 63.011, Election Code, to allow voters to carry "slate cards" into the polling place. In addition, S.B. 82 requires an election officer to periodically check areas of the polling place to remove sample ballots or any other discarded written communications. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 82 outlines provisions relating to written communications used by voters in a polling place. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 61A, Election Code, by adding Section 61.011, as follows: Section 61.011. REMOVING WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS FOUND IN POLLING PLACE. Requires an election officer to periodically check voting stations and other areas of the polling place for sample ballots or other written communications used by voters that were left in the polling place and to remove any written communication from the sight of the voters. SECTION 2. Repeals Section 63.011, Election Code, (Written Communication Prohibited). SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Effective date of September 1, 1997. SECTION 5. Emergency clause.