SRC-JEC H.B. 3128 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3128
78R10110 JRJ-DBy: Truitt (Nelson)
State Affairs
5/16/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Write-in votes in most elections are prohibited from being counted for
candidates not listed as write-in candidates.  H.B. 3128 prohibits
write-in ballots for county party chair elections from being counted
without the candidate being listed as a write-in candidate. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends the heading to Section 171.0231, Election Code, to read
as follows: 

Sec. 171.0231.  WRITE-IN CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY CHAIR OR PRECINCT CHAIR.

SECTION 2.  Amends Sections 171.0231(a), (d), and (e), Election Code, as
follows: 

(a)  Removes an exception as provided by Subsection (f), and prohibits
counting a write-in vote for the office of county chair unless the name
written in appears on the list of write-in candidates. 

(d)  Makes a conforming change.

(e)  Makes a conforming change.

SECTION 3.  Repealer:  Section 171.0231(f) (regarding counting write-in
votes for county chair), Election Code. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.