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.