By Place H.J.R. No. 9
75R6276 CAG-D
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize Comanche County
1-2 to have more than one precinct for justices of the peace and a
1-3 single precinct for constable.
1-4 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 18, Article V, Texas Constitution, is
1-6 amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (g) to
1-7 read as follows:
1-8 (a) Each county in the State with a population of 30,000 or
1-9 more, according to the most recent federal census, from time to
1-10 time, for the convenience of the people, shall be divided into not
1-11 less than four and not more than eight precincts. Each county in
1-12 the State with a population of 18,000 or more but less than 30,000,
1-13 according to the most recent federal census, from time to time, for
1-14 the convenience of the people, shall be divided into not less than
1-15 two and not more than five precincts. Each county in the State
1-16 with a population of less than 18,000, according to the most recent
1-17 federal census, from time to time, for the convenience of the
1-18 people, shall be designated as a single precinct or, if the
1-19 Commissioners Court determines that the county needs more than one
1-20 precinct, shall be divided into not more than four precincts.
1-21 Notwithstanding the population requirements of this subsection,
1-22 Chambers County, from time to time, for the convenience of the
1-23 people, shall be divided into not less than two and not more than
1-24 six precincts. A division or designation under this subsection
2-1 shall be made by the Commissioners Court provided for by this
2-2 Constitution. Except as provided by [Subsection (e) of] this
2-3 section, in each such precinct there shall be elected one Justice
2-4 of the Peace and one Constable, each of whom shall hold his office
2-5 for four years and until his successor shall be elected and
2-6 qualified; provided that in a county with a population of less than
2-7 150,000, according to the most recent federal census, in any
2-8 precinct in which there may be a city of 18,000 or more
2-9 inhabitants, there shall be elected two Justices of the Peace, and
2-10 in a county with a population of 150,000 or more, according to the
2-11 most recent federal census, each precinct may contain more than one
2-12 Justice of the Peace Court.
2-13 (g) If the Commissioners Court of Comanche County divides
2-14 the county into more than one precinct under Subsection (a), the
2-15 Commissioners Court may apply those precincts to Justices of the
2-16 Peace and may treat the county as a single precinct for purposes
2-17 of the Constable.
2-18 SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
2-19 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 1997.
2-20 The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
2-21 proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing Comanche
2-22 County to have more than one precinct for justices of the peace and
2-23 a single precinct for constable."