SRC-DPW H.B. 306 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 306
By: Madden (Shapiro)
State Affairs
5/14/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, there is a decrease in the percentage of registered voters
casting votes. Accessibility to the polling place and cynicism about the
election process are two possible reasons for the decrease. In high growth
areas, polling locations can change repeatedly from one election to the
next.  H.B. 306 ensures that all voters have ready access to information
about the locations of polling places.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 306 sets forth procedures involving polling places used
for an election. 

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 Chapter 43, Election Code, by adding Subchapter C, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER C. INFORMATION REGARDING LOCATION OF POLLING PLACE

Sec. 43.061. NOTICE AT PREVIOUS POLLING PLACE. Requires the authority
responsible for giving notice of elections, if possible, to post notice at
the entrance to the previous polling place, stating that the location has
changed and giving the new location, if the location of the polling place
for an election precinct is different from the location used in the
preceding election.  

43.062. USE OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION. Requires an election officer, in
an election in which detailed poll location information is available at a
polling place through a computer, to assist voters in determining the
correct polling place location for the voter's election precinct.  

SECTION 2. Amends Section 62.001, Election Code, by adding Subsection (b),
to require the presiding judge at a polling place, if the polling place is
left unattended at any time after the preparations for voting begin, to
take appropriate steps to provide for the security of the polling place.
Provides that this subsection does not affect the security requirements for
a polling place after the polls open.  Makes a conforming change.  

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.