SRC-HRD S.B. 292 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 292
By: Carona
State Affairs
1-29-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law provides that early voting by personal appearance
begins 20 days before election day and continues until the fourth day
before election day.  In Dallas County, less than 15 percent of the total
early votes are cast during the first five days of early voting at an
average cost of $25 per vote.  This bill shortens the time period for
early voting. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 292 provides that the beginning day for early voting by
personal appearance is the 17th day before election day, and that early
voting by personal appearance continues through the seventh day before
election day. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 85.001 (a), Election Code, to provide that the
period for early voting by personal appearance begins on the 17th day
before election day, rather than the 20th day before election day, and
continues through the seventh day, rather than the fourth day, before
election day, except as otherwise provided by this section. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.