By Jones of Dallas                                    H.B. No. 2924
         77R8930 GGS-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the preparation of electronic voting system ballots for
 1-3     automatic counting.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 127.125(b), Election Code, is amended to
 1-6     read as follows:
 1-7           (b)  The manager shall have the ballots examined to detect
 1-8     any irregularly marked ballots and to determine whether the ballots
 1-9     to be counted automatically are ready for counting and can be
1-10     properly counted.  The manager shall have each irregularly marked
1-11     ballot duplicated to indicate the intent of the voter if the
1-12     voter's intent is clearly ascertainable, unless other law prohibits
1-13     counting the vote. After making the appropriate determinations and
1-14     taking the appropriate actions, the manager [when ready] shall
1-15     approve the ballots [them] for counting.
1-16           SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.