C.S.H.B. 3128 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 3128
By: Truitt
Elections
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In the past several legislative sessions, the law has been changed to
prevent write-in votes in most elections from being counted for any
candidates not listed as being declared write-in candidates. Current
elections with this restriction include the November general election,
city elections, school district elections, water district elections, and
hospital district elections.  Prohibiting the counting of write-in
candidates other than those on the list of declared write-in candidates
promotes efficiency in election administration, allows the simplification
of ballots, and cuts costs of elections.  CSHB 3128 adds candidates for
the party offices of county and precinct chair to those offices where the
counting of write-in votes is restricted. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 


ANALYSIS

CSHB 3128 modifies the Election Code by repealing the exception to the
provision prohibiting a write-in vote for certain offices from being
counted unless the name written in appears on the list of write-in
candidates.   

The bill prohibits write-in votes for the office of county chair, in
addition to those for precinct chair, from being counted unless the name
written in appears on the list of write-in candidates.  The bill modifies
provisions relating to the qualifications of write-in candidates for
county chair or precinct chair. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute modifies the original by conforming the bill to Texas
Legislative Council drafting style.