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.