By Puente H.B. No. 543
75R2048 GGS-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the use of a candidate's nickname on the ballot.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 52.031(c), Election Code, is amended to
1-5 read as follows:
1-6 (c) A nickname of one unhyphenated word of not more than 10
1-7 letters by which the candidate has been commonly known for at least
1-8 three [two] years [immediately] preceding the election may be used
1-9 in combination with a candidate's name. A nickname that
1-10 constitutes a slogan or otherwise indicates a political, economic,
1-11 social, or religious view or affiliation may not be used. A
1-12 nickname may not be used unless the candidate executes and files
1-13 with the application for a place on the ballot an affidavit
1-14 indicating that the nickname complies with this subsection.
1-15 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
1-16 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
1-17 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-18 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-19 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-20 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.