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.