SRC-BWC S.B. 1528 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1528
77R8194 GGS-DBy: Shapiro
State Affairs
4/26/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Sometimes there are individuals on election ballots who are either
unwilling or unable to serve in the office indicated on the ballot.  This
may lead to voter confusion and voter apathy.  As proposed, S.B. 1528
extends the length of time a candidate may withdraw his or her name from
the ballot.  S.B. 1528 allows a candidate to withdraw his or her name
before the ballot is officially printed. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the secretary of state in
SECTION 3 of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 172.052(a), Election Code, to prohibit a
candidate for nomination from withdrawing from the general primary election
after the ballots are printed for the election, rather than 62nd day before
general primary election day. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 172.059(a), Election Code, to prohibit a
candidate for nomination from withdrawing from the runoff primary election
after the ballots are printed for the election, rather than 5 p.m. of the
10th day after general primary election day. 

SECTION 3.  Requires the secretary of state by rule to modify related
dates, deadlines, and procedures as necessary to implement the changes in
law made by this Act. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.